1/27/2016

Canton
Dog Park
Proposal
Presented By:
Joshua T. Medeiros, MS, CPRP
Director of Parks and Recreation
on behalf of the Friends of the
Canton Dog Park

Overview: Key Questions

What is a Dog Park? And why do we
need one in Canton?

2: Where will the park be located and
what will it look like?

3: How much will it cost and how will
funding be secured?

4: What happens once its created?
Safety? Maintenance?

5: Action requested by the Board of
Selectmen

1:

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What is a Dog Park?

Off-leash enclosed fenced in park

1,200 in United States (including our neighbors
Granby, Simsbury and Bristol to name a few).
Allows dogs to exercise and socialize safely
Promotes responsible dog ownership
Provides an outlet for owners to socialize
Economic Benefits

Source: National Recreation & Parks Association

Why do we need a Dog Park in

Canton?

Creation of Friends Group (80 members, 1,300 dogs registered in town)

Survey Creation & Results:

635 individual's e-mailed. 263 responses. 41% response rate (average
response rate for online surveys is 25%)

83% in favor of parks creation

85% would use the park one or more times per week

97% of users were willing to clean up after their own dogs

78% willing to contribute financially to start up of park

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Potential Location of Dog Park

Maglaty

Property (on Dowd Ave off

Commerce Drive).

7

Acre property (approx. 1 acre for park)

Forest Concept= Shade, limited maintenance

Abuts Farmington River Trail= connective

Light traffic, limited residential

Easily accessible (Route 44, Collinsville)

Land

Acquisition- Land Swap Deal

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Parks Cost Money: How much?

And who is paying?

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How to pay for the park?

Funded

by the Friends of
Canton Dog Park

Community Donations

Annual Fundraising Events

Pooch Plunge
Pictures with Santa/Easter Bunny
Halloween Costume Contest

Business

Sponsorship

Naming opportunities

Pooch Plunge Summer 2015

Draft Budget

Creation

Annual

of Dog Park- $30,000 approx.

Operating Costs- $4,000 approx.

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What happens once its

created?

Town Responsibilities (Draft)

Scheduling services (dumpster, port-o-john)
Ordering supplies (doggie bags, mulch)

Plowing parking lot in winter

Serve in advisory capacity to Friends Group

Friends of Canton Dog Park Responsibilities (Draft)

Education
Weekly visits/clean up

Staffing & coordinating events to generate money

Reporting incidents to Parks & Recreation officials

Safety and Liability

Dog

Park Rules & Regulations- Signage at

park, online, brochures and pamphlets.

Educational workshops at community
center and the park.

Community partnerships (Dogology,
Veterinary).

CT General Statue Sec.22-357:
Strict Liability Law of One Who Keeps a
Dog

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The Proposal & Action

Requested
Land Swap with Canton Land Trust

2: Authorization from First Selectmen
Leslee Hill on necessary land use
applications

3: Vote to approve the Dog Park project
and allow the Friends of Canton Dog Park
to begin fundraising initiatives.

1:

Natalie Olmstead & Bella

April Adams & Bo

Addison & John Aubin with Bentley & Chesney

Sandra Jacobus & Kenya (left), Mason

(right). Photo courtesy of Dogology

Peggy Milanese & Olive