Dog friendly 'enclosed' play area...

Hooked

Howdy all. Just toying with the idea of arranging a meet up of like-minded dog owners. We're avid dog walkers BUT ours are not an 'off lead' breed (that's a whole other discussion). They're walked twice daily but we'd love to let them off to have a supervised play with others. In an enclosed area.

I've thought of the kinds of astro turf type set ups - big area, enclosed, etc.. And we'd happily pay BUT I'd imagine the dogs toilet activities would (quite rightly) go against us. Even if we all pick up after us, there's the marking to contend with.

I know there are a few 'trainers' with premises, but (despite the recall) ours don't need any training. This is purely for the dogs to have fun, and the owners to swap tips, advice, etc... And an open space, frequented by families and small kids - is not responsible, in my opinion.

We'd just like something that we could arrange once every few weeks - that's enclosed and in/near Limerick?

Any ideas or thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Carol_1985

Would love something like this for our dog too! She adores other dogs so would be nice to be able to leave her off to play safely. It's a pity there's no dog park in Limerick.

Hooked

Carol_1985 wrote: »

Would love something like this for our dog too! She adores other dogs so would be nice to be able to leave her off to play safely. It's a pity there's no dog park in Limerick.

... Yet!

If we build it (or rent it), they will come!

I've a good list of participants.
There MUST be a place to suit.

Mr.H

i would be very interested in this. we have a shih tzu and a lab who would love to socialize with other dogs

Hooked

Well, I have a good lead (pun intended) of an indoor area for rent... So, as soon as I hear more, I'll be back with an update.

gl0Rob

I'd also be interested in this. My guy loves to play and could do with socializing more with other dogs.

Mr.H

I wonder if this is something that Limerick Animal Welfare would be interested in?

Maybe not. But they have a lot of animals at their sanctuary. Im sure that if there was an enclosure close to them or in their grounds it could be good for all the animals to socialise together. It would be good for the animals seeking shelter as the public could come out and play with them or something. Plus they could seek donations such as a couple of euro for upkeep or whatever.

If thats a no go then maybe if we could try to get some local politician looking for some votes to get on board and get us an enclosed park. I dont think it would cost a fortune to upkeep the grounds. We could throw down some wood chip and just ask anyone who brings their dog to bag the poop when they are done. The poop can be composted? (is that a possibility?)

We would want it to be a well lit enclosure with one of the Garda cameras so women would feel safe to bring their dogs in the evenings. Surely their is a public need for something like this?

tony1980

It would be great if we could get the council to put dog friendly areas that are enclosed but with a good bit of space within our existing parks. Surely if they can build purpose built skate boarding parks in Limerick, they can come up with a clever way of creating an area within the peoples park and the dublin rd park which both have large areas of green that could be at least partially used to facilitate dogs and their owners in a safe way without it costing a fortune!

tony1980

Some fencing like this

Something like this surely wouldn't cost a fortune.





I would love something like the above.

tony1980

I realise its an indoor facility you are talking about which would also be great, I would also be very interested in this.

Mr.H

Well indoor or outdoor would be cool. If it was possible to get the space Im sure we could find some volunteers ala the volunteer garden projects around the country, to help build the enclosure. A little swimming area a couple of things to run along or interact with and the dogs would love it. No reason for this to not be allowed to happen.

BUT we are not looking to send some politician on a round the world all expenses paid "research exhibition". This is something that we can "research" from a computer or a think tank session.

tony1980

Saw an article before on one that was put in somewhere in the UK, purpose made dog park, it cost 15000 GBP. Can't find the link now. If the council wouldn't pay for one, something like this could be done through donations if enough interest was there, and could be implemented with the council if they allowed the area in one of the parks. If the council were on board with it, it would be interesting to see if enough interest could be drummed up via local newspapers and through Animal Welfare to get this thing done!

I am sure it wouldn't cost anything like a purpose built dog park if it were implemented in an existing park. Anyone want to contact their local councillor to get ball rolling

Hooked

Great to see the interest above... No joking MR.H - I had thought of LAW. I follow them on Facebook. Imagine having an enclosed area that we happily paid for each week? Say a fiver per dog for an hour. With all money going towards the sanctuary? It'd add up quick.

Over in the pets forum, I've been pointed in the direction of a place in cork, boasting the ONLY indoor play area - in the country! Surely there's a market for this? There are so many responsible pet owners.

My family and my OHs are carpenters/builders. I'm a designer and handy with all things DIY & creative. If we had the space, a few like minded people and sponsors on board - as Tony says above.. It would take very little to make it happen. Just the fencing and some obstacles.

I must get on to a councillor I know and a few others. Can't help to enquire...

Responsible dog ownership comes with plenty of frills, travel, and accommodation options in the UK and Europe. Sadly, here... Many Beaches and public transport are off limits. I know there are a lot of unruly dogs (owners fault). But there are also a lot that really put in the effort - but have no social outlet for their dogs.

And ours in particular... Despite being very well trained - are not to be trusted 'off lead'. And I wouldn't like going for a family walk - to be interrupted by 2 (or more) boisterous, large dogs - off lead and heading straight for us.

Mockba

What about horse riding centers, Would they rent it out to ye. Picking up after a dog would be
nothing after cleaning up from a horse..........
Is the Coonagh one in use ?

tony1980

Well said Hooked.

I wouldn't mind a meet up with some like minded individuals here to discuss some of the possibilities, especially if we could get a councillor on board who wouldn't mind meeting up with some of us to discuss the possibility and what options we might have. I think it would be fantastic and I wouldn't imagine there would be any issue in drumming up enough interest from other dog owners for this!

Hooked

Mockba wrote: »

What about horse riding centers, Would they rent it out to ye. Picking up after a dog would be
nothing after cleaning up from a horse..........
Is the Coonagh one in use ?

This is why I love boards... Because I'm stuck in one 'mindset'. Canine! Now... An Equine centre? Brilliant idea... But - The fencing might be an issue... The gaps may be too big for a horse to go through.
But dogs would escape easily.

But, the think tank is up and running.

Feck it - I'm gonna make this my 'pet project' this summer. Yea. Yea. Pun intended!!!

Hooked

Could anyone interested please PM me an Email address for now. I'll do some ground work. And that way - I'll have a list of contacts to share updates with, and get this moving.

Go on guys n gals - hit the PM button!

tony1980

PM sent.

Mr.H

Ok so here are my thoughts thus far.

Here is a site that i found relating to starting a "dog park" (not allowed to post a link to a website as im a new user) (just google dogpark.com) it is an american site but the advice given is very applicable to this project.

Firstly we need a place to have this "park"

Secondly we need to say what our idea for this "park" is. What does everyone think when they think "a dog park"

Thirdly we need to price up everything. Do we need insurance? Do we have to rent the facility? Do we need infrastructure such as fencing, gates and surface. Do we need facilities such as ramps and obstacles etc. Do we need seating? These are all things to consider. If we where given a patch of land in a pre-existing park then we dont have to pay for rent. If we can get sponsorship we might get some/all of the fencing without cost. If we get volunteers there again is no cost.

We then need funding. Who pays for this? Maybe we can get a lot paid for from local businesses and sponsors. Maybe a grant is available. Perhaps we will need to raise money. Its all well and good saying that 10 of us will pay a fiver a week or whatever but what if one of us doesnt have the money? then we are under funded. We need to find a way to fund it. The best and most efficient way is to have a "park" that doesnt have any cost in upkeep. Then its just the initial funding to get it started and even though thats not a given, its still easier than long term funding.

after that we need to get Gardai, Council and the public to get involved. A security camera will keep thugs out and ensure that less responsible owners dont come back. Backing from the council will help in terms of lighting if it is outdoors and opening times if its in an existing park. The public getting involved means the project doesnt fade away after 2 months of the "new toy syndrome".


So that is my take on everything for now. I am more of a designer myself also but really would love to get involved in this project. I am not available during the working week but anytime after 5 and on weekends Im up for getting this started. Ill send my email to you Hooked. Without trying to sound like a complete tool, but do you know how to start a facebook group? I can do it if youd like but just to get everyone to join that so we can share the information in real time and even drum up more interest.

Let me know what you think.

Hooked

Great Post MR H.

I'm from the school of 'park' first. Fencing, obstacles and other stuff later.

If we can secure a park / green area - we can let social media and our own efforts and resources do the rest. I've a tonne of people I could call on for publicity. That's all in vain if we've no venue.

It has to be enclosed though. Other (non pet owners) have to be able to safely navigate the area, free of any doggie-interruption.

tony1980

Great post Mr.H

The facebook page is a great idea, we might actually get some ideas from people in where the park could be located. I definitely think we should speak with a local councillor on some of the ideas. Great to see the interest and hopefully we will actually be able to get this thing up and running. It would be fantastic for the City!

Post the link to the Facebook page once it is created.

Mr.H

So is there maybe a councillor with a bit of clout that supports animal welfare by any chance?

the sooner we can meet them the more chance this has

Hooked

Take the Clare St (Dublin road) park as an EXAMPLE.

Upon entering, the very far left section is surrounded on 3 sides. Meaning (as an example remember) it would only need to be disturbed and fenced on 1, at most - 2, sides. The remainder of the park is untouched. At most - some seating along the side or a sunken water feature. The 'obstacles' are easily and cheaply created/removed/renovated.

And a doggy section is not 'front and centre', nor is it an eyesore, nor will it scare/upset small kids. Though I've yet to meet a kid frightened of my 2 dogs. Kids these days seem to have no fear.

If anything - kids frequenting this park with their parents would be happy to view dogs playing - from behind a secure fence!

I'm calling dibs on naming the place...

Clare St. Bark? All agreed?

Mc Love

The bit of green beside the peoples park would be ideal for this! I would love something like this in the city! I have been to a dog beach in Santa Cruz, CA and it was amazing!!

Marley Park in Dublin has a dog park too doesnt it?

tony1980

That's the exact area I was talking about in my earlier post, I frequent that park often with the kids and the dog and it is a very large space. It would be perfect!


Nice Name

tony1980

Mc Love wrote: »

The bit of green beside the peoples park would be ideal for this! I would love something like this in the city! I have been to a dog beach in Santa Cruz, CA and it was amazing!!

Marley Park in Dublin has a dog park too doesnt it?

The area in the peoples park is the other option I was thinking of too, it is like the Dublin Rd park, loads of space available on the far side of the park! I use to leave CBS a little early in my younger days to play soccer there

Marley Park does, saw that online earlier, never been to it myself though!

tony1980

Time to do some research

Mr.H

Ok so I've just jotted off a quick email to environ AT limerickcity.ie

Hope I didn't step on anyone's toes but just want to get the ball rolling. If I get any communication back Ill update at once. If anyone has any contacts feel free to start talking to them. The more people enquiring from different sides the better chance this has.

Also if you know any business owners ask them would they be willing to sponsor something for this project.

We can get obstacles sponsored in return for naming rights.

The Argos bench, The Tesco tunnel, The Peony Court pool beach etc.

In fact a big enough donation we can just name the park after them.





To whom it may concern

My name is Paul Houlihan. I am a dog owner living in the city centre and have a couple of friendly dogs. The problem is there are few locations in the city where you can walk a dog and nowhere that a person can walk a dog off leash. After discussions with like minded individuals, we have talked about the possibility of a dog park.

Dog parks now exist throughout the country and most notably in Cork and Dublin.

The main essence of a dog park is getting land first and foremost. Then it needs to be enclosed. Now as a group of citizens we could try to rent some land but this is difficult with lack of funding. We would hope that there would be the possibility of getting an area in a pre existing park that could be fenced off which we could turn into a dog park. OBriens park is a prime example of a park which has a great section that is not in use where it could be partly fenced to facilitate such an idea.

Fencing could be funded/partly funded by a business such as B&Q or Homebase on the grounds that we could name the park after them or put their sign up on the fence. This would ensure that the park could be funded by mostly sponsorship.

Chipping would need to be placed down to soak up silage. Chippings could be placed in a container so they could be used by dog owners to soak up any urine by their pets. Poop must be picked up by owners and placed in a container which can be either a compost type bin or regular trash. Obviously compost is the cheaper option and can be used for plants afterwards.

Im unsure of the insurance issue but this is where funding would be needed. This is a concern with anything related to public area's so there is no reason this cant be seen as a non issue here. If funding is a problem we can go to local businesses to seek sponsorship.

Off lead behaviour and dogs socialising together ensures that they do get contact with other animals and not turn into narky dogs. It is in the publics best interest that a park like this exists.

If it is at all possible I would like if someone could meet our group and discuss this further. Even a few minutes chat at their convenience.

Im sending this email to a couple of local councillors as well I hope you don't take this personal. I just know a couple of them who I think may help my idea to take off. Just giving you a heads up in case you hear this from elsewhere.


Please feel free to contact me at ##########

Thanks for your time
Paul Houlihan

Mr.H

Ok I have a group started.

I cant post a link as Im a new user but hopefully you can recognise the link

facebook.com/groups/1497904090428207/

This is an open group so please just copy the link into your address bar and when you get to teh group add yourself or like or whatever it is. We can put up all the information there and keep each other updated with info or ideas

Hooked

tony1980 wrote: »

Mr.H is added to the WhatsApp group.

I've emailed my local councillor too Mr.H. I'll PM you my number Tony. The more involved and more angles the better. I'll check that Facebook link too...

I'm a designer in a large print company. So, any flyers, promo etc... Let me know. I've connections in newspapers and radio - so ditto there too.

Let's just see where we stand with getting an area first. Anything else we can make happen ourselves.

Cheers all.

Mr.H

Exactly. We get an area first. Turning it int a dog park will happen after that. As you said lets see where we stand