Pitch made after site lined up for dog park

Acreage is OK'd for Mandeville dog park.
Full article on www.nola.com
By Cindy Chang
A park that north shore canines can call their own is one step closer to reality after Pelican Park near Mandeville agreed to set aside a 2- to 3-acre site.

Now, the dogs must count on their human benefactors to raise over $155,000 for fences, water stations, benches and other basic facilities.

If fundraising goes well, the north shore's first dog park could open as soon as December 2009, said Sarah Pokorny, the Mandeville resident who organized the campaign beginning with an online petition in February.

A second phase of construction, which would include a swimming hole and a bone-shaped walking trail, has a price tag of about $200,000 and could be completed after the first phase already is being used.

"We have the land now, thanks to Pelican Park," Pokorny said. "Now we're at the beginning of the second hurdle -- looking for community support."

Three months after starting the petition, Pokorny had 500 signatures from dog lovers but no land. Over the summer, talks with Kathy Foley, Pelican Park's director, grew more serious.

On Sept. 27, the board of directors approved a plan to turn an undeveloped tract of land across the road from the skate park into the Pelican Bark Park, provided Pokorny's group pays all the construction costs.

The exact dimensions are yet to be determined, with estimates ranging from 2 to 3.5 acres.

An annual membership fee may be charged to use the park, depending on whether Pelican Park picks up the tab for maintaining the site or whether the Bark Park group has to pay for upkeep.

If the group comes up with the needed money, local dogs will someday be able to shed their leashes, free to make friends, wrestle, chase each other and do all the things they like to do when they are together.

The only park on the north shore where dogs are allowed off-leash is the Mandeville lakefront before 8 a.m. There, owners worry about traffic on nearby Lakeshore Drive as well as joggers who do not appreciate dogs running loose.

On the south shore, a dog park opened at the Bonnabel boat launch along Lake Pontchartrain in Metairie this spring.

Dog owners congregate along the Mississippi River levee beside Leake Avenue and at several other unofficial spots, but City Bark, scheduled to open in City Park as soon as next spring, will be the first public space in New Orleans built just for dogs.


There are more than 50 dog parks in New York City, about 20 in the Los Angeles area and many others in cities across the country. Baton Rouge opened its first dog park in 2006 and plans to construct a dozen more.

A rendering of the Pelican Bark Park shows a grassy expanse dotted with trees, punctuated by the walking path and pond that would be completed in phase two. An area near the entrance is set aside for small dogs.

"I'm pretty excited. It's a pretty-looking plan, and we've got a very excited group of dog lovers. Everyone's going to like it," said Nixon Adams, chairman of the Pelican Park board, whose Yorkshire terrier recently passed away.

More information about the dog park can be found at www.pelicanbarkpark.org.

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Cindy Chang can be reached at cchang@timespicayune.com or 985.898.4816.

What is Pelican Bark Park

Our mission is to contribute to the health and well-being of people and domestic dogs through advocating for the inclusion, design, construction, maintenance and safe operation of enclosed, off-leash recreation areas in Mandeville and greater St. Tammany Parish.

The Pelican Bark Park Committee, partnering with the Friends of Pelican Park, is formed to establish off-leash recreation in Recreation District #1 of Pelican Park. The committee is comprised of ten committee members and hundreds of community supporters. Ask us how to get involved! email doggiebarkpark@yahoo.com

The Pelican Bark Park Committee plans to establish a dog park within the confines of Pelican Park, thanks to the support of Director Kathy Foley and the Pelican Park Board of Directors. The PBPC will be the full funding organization for design, construction, maintenance and operations.

Park features include:
• Fencing (with double-gated entries and maintenance gates)
• Water
• Signs
• Wheelchair accessibility
• Benches
• Parking
• Shade Structure
• Irrigation system
• Electric capacity

Support Opportunities

Pelican Bark Park Sponsor

Recognition Program 

 

*Friends of Pelican Park presents a recognition opportunity for canine-friendly businesses that sponsor Pelican Bark Park. Your investment will provide you with greater exposure to your target market!

 

Best in Show:  $50,000            Dog Park Named After Your Company

Best in Breed: $25,000 Name on Shade Shelter

Top Dog:             $15,000  Name on Bullpen (2 Opportunities )

 

Watch Dog       $10,000 Information Board

Pack Leader:    $5,000 Name on Bench (5 Opportunities)

Tail Wagger:    $2,500 Name on Water Station (2 Opportunities)

 

Pet Partner:     $1,000 Name on Poop Scoop Post (3 Opportunities)

 

Canine                  $500 2  Bricks on “Walk of Fame”

Companion:                                      & Listed on Website

 

Paw Pal:              $250 1 Brick on “Walk of Fame”

& Listed on Website

Man's Best         $100 1 Brick on "walk of fame" 
Friend:

*All donors at the $1,000 and up level will be listed on a plaque at the dog park entrance and have free 10 x 10 booth space at annual Bark Park Event. Donors at $250 and up level will be listed on website and printed materials unless otherwise requested.

Introduction

Our mission is to contribute to the health and well-being of people and domestic dogs through advocating for the inclusion, design, construction, maintenance and safe operation of enclosed, off-leash recreation areas in Mandeville and greater St. Tammany Parish.


The Pelican Bark Park Committee (PBPC), partnering with the Friends of Pelican Park, a 501(c)(3), is formed to establish off-leash recreation in Recreation District #1/Pelican Park. The PBPC is comprised of ten committee members and hundreds of community supporters.

The Pelican Bark Park Committee plans to establish a dog park within the confines of Pelican Park, thanks to the support of Director Kathy Foley and the Pelican Park Board of Directors. The PBPC will be the full funding organization for design, construction, maintenance and operations.

Park features include:
• Fencing (with double-gated entries and maintenance gates)
• Water
• Signs
• Wheelchair accessibility
• Benches
• Parking
• Shade Structure
• Irrigation system
• Electric capacity

Once the remainder of the funds are raised (in the first and second years), the following amenities will be added:
• Synthetic Boulders/Play Apparatus
• Picnic Tables
• Swimming Hole
• Entry Pavilion
• Lighting