Status of the Project

A lot as happened the last couple months with the dog park project, and I apologize for not keeping up with the blog. As you know, the coalition and supports were thrilled with the prospect of a parcel of land donated by West Hartford Place Condominiums (Home Depot, BJ's & Aldi). Unfortunately, their offer has been withdrawn.

A meeting was held last night with the mayor & other town officials to discuss the future of the project. To read an excellent summary of the meeting, please see this article:
http://mywesthartfordlife.com/community.php?cid=4&id=1817

The WHDPC is gearing up to march in the Memorial Day Parade in a few weeks. We'd love for you to join us! Check back soon for details...

We need your HELP in this critical point in our project!!!

The Coalition needs your help now more than ever before to make the goal of a West Hartford Dog Park a reality. In the coming weeks, your participation in the process will help to determine the fate of the dog park.

Our formal application to locate the dog park on Flatbush Avenue has been submitted to the Town Planning and Zoning Commission. The application will be discussed and voted on at the April 4th TP&Z 7:00pm Meeting (please arrive early!!!). If the TP&Z approves our application, it will then be discussed at the April 11th Town Council Meeting.

Show Your Support

It is important that there is a room full of supporters at these meetings, so please put the dates on your calendars now! In addition to your physical support at these meetings, we are looking for people who would be willing to stand up and share their support for the dog park with the members of the TP&Z and Town Council. Please email us if you would be willing to speak. Also, letters and emails submitted to the TP&Z and Town Council will become part of the official record that will be reviewed when these groups determine whether to approve the dog park. Your support letter could help make a dog park become a reality. Please email your letters to:
mila@westhartford.org, Scott.Slifka@yahoo.com, TimBrennanTC@gmail.com, DeniseBHall@comcast.net, StevenIAdler@hotmail.com, Shaboyz@comcast.net, Judy.Casperson@gmail.com, LSDavidoff@sbcglobal.net jfv82@comcast.net, elleng@westhartford.org, westhartforddogpark@gmail.com

To ensure that your letter is part of the record reviewed by both TP&Z and Town Council, please print two copies of your letter and address them to both:
· TP&Z Chairman Theodore Doolittle c/o Mila Limson; and
· Mayor Scott Slifka c/o Ellen Guest

Both letters can go in the same envelope and be sent to:
· Town of West Hartford, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford CT 06107

Distribute Flyers Door-to-Door
Members of the Coalition will be going door-to-door in the Charter Oak neighborhood to hand out flyers and discuss the project with residents. If you are available over the next few weekends and would be willing to help, please email us and let us know.

Spread the Word
Talk to your neighbors, friends and co-workers. Tell them about the dog park, the meetings and how they can also get involved. Remember, the more support we have, the better our chances of having our application approved and making the West Hartford Dog Park a reality!

Brownstone Bakery For Dogs Appriciation Night

Calling all dog walkers, groomers, pet sitters and anyone else who lovingly cares for a four-legged friend...

Join the Brownstone Bakery For Dogs for a special Dogs After Dark. Bring your dog, bring your friends, bring your friend’s dog. Enjoy a glass of wine while your furry friend romps around and samples their tasty fresh-baked treats.

Thursday, March 10, 6:00-7:30 pm
Brownstone Bakery For Dogs, 16 Ensign Drive, Avon

For more information call: 860.677.2111

Neighborhood Meeting Thursday!

The West Hartford Dog Park Coalition would like to invite you to join us for a friendly neighborhood meeting next Thursday, February 24th at 7:00 p.m. in the Charter Oak Elementary School Auditorium. We will be discussing our upcoming plans to submit an application to the Town Planning and Zoning Committee to locate the future West Hartford Dog Park on Flatbush Avenue.

Have questions about the dog park and the Coalition's proposal to TP&Z?

Please let us address them!

Want to support the project as we move forward?

Please come out and share your opinions and let others know why you think having the West Hartford Dog Park on Flatbush Ave is a great idea!

All are welcome

Happy 2011!!!

(Photo Credit: prettyfluffy.com)

Happy New Year! As we begin 2011, we wanted to take a moment and thank you for all of your hard work on the dog park project in 2010 and provide an update for 2011. 2010 was a very busy year for this project. The group has undergone the process of vetting two potential sites (Fernridge Park and Flatbush Avenue), participated in the Memorial Day Parade, Celebrate West Hartford, the MADD walk, and the Park Road Parade, raised funds at the Blue Back Square Charity Tastes and Toasts events, and held the 3rd annual Pooch Plunge event. The success of these events could never have been possible without the support of our volunteers. Thank you for your continued generosity and support! In 2011, we expect to have another busy and exciting year. The Town has been working very closely with the businesses who currently own the property off of Flatbush Avenue (Home Depot, BJ's, and Aldi's) to create an agreement for the Town's use of the land for a dog park. We had hoped to have that agreement completed by December, but the timeline has now been changed to the end of January. Once that agreement is in place, we can work with the Town to go through the Zoning process, work with the Community to finalize the design, and begin fundraising. In preparation for these next steps, we will have a Coalition meeting in January/February to discuss the next steps in more detail and determine volunteer needs. More to come on this meeting soon. Again, we wish everyone a happy new year and we look forward to working with you on the dog park project in 2011. Thank you, The West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Leadership Team

Community meeting Tuesday night

Please join the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition in showing your support for the dog park project by attending an information meeting on three major projects impacting the New Park Avenue / Flatbush Avenue neighborhoods. The meeting will be held at Charter Oak School, 425 Oakwood Avenue, on Tuesday, December 7 at 7 PM, in the school auditorium.

The agenda includes:

· A status report on the proposed Dog Park on the grounds of The Home Depot, 503 New Park Avenue
· An update on the DOT Flatbush Avenue flyover bridge and Busway project
· An overview of the New Britain Avenue road improvement project slated for Spring 2011

Presenters will include Town Manager Ron Van Winkle, Community Services Director Rob Rowlson, and Leisure Services Director Jim Capodiece. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions.

We hope to see you there! (Don't forget to wear your green dog park tees.)

West Hartford's annual Halloween Costume Pet Parade

Don’t miss West Hartford's annual Halloween Costume Pet Parade!

Dress up your pet in your favorite halloween costume and come join the fun! Judging for the best costume in each category to be awarded. Prizes and gift baskets!!

When: Saturday, October 23rd; 8:30am Registration; walk begins at 9:00am
Where: Meet at the registration table in town hall parking lot
Cost: $5/pet

Judging will be held at the Blue Back Square Pavilion. Free parking in the town hall parking lot. Enter gate at 50 South Main St. The event will be held rain or shine!

BYOPB, (Bring your own poopy bags)
(If applicable, all proceeds will be donated to The CT Humane Society).
If you would like to help volunteer for the event, please contact Julia Buckley at: Julia.buckley@hotmail.com

*Please note that this is not a WHDPC event.

**BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND**

Blue Back Square Charity Tastes N' Toasts Series to benefit the WHDPC
Wednesday, October 20th from 5pm-9pm
Pick up your admission button at The Counter!

Help the WHDPC raise the funds necessary to build and maintain a Dog Park off Flatbush Avenue! Experience a variety of cuisines and receive discounted drinks, appetizers and/or meal specials at a variety of eateries within Blue Back Square.

Visit our table at The Counter and pick up an admission button with each $10 charitable donation! Hear about the Coalition's Next Steps to make the Dog Park a reality.

Receive a map of participating eateries within Blue Back Square and enjoy a drink, dinner or appetizer special at the participating establishments.

We hope to see you there!
WHDPC Leadership Committee

Thanks for walking in the parade!

A big thank-you to those of you who came out to walk in the Park Road Parade with us October 2. It was a beautiful day!

Join us for the Park Road Parade - October 2nd

Please join the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition as we march with our pups in the annual Park Road Parade!

Park Road on Parade on Saturday, October 2nd

*FINAL INSTRUCTIONS*

The parade begins at: 10:30 a.m.
Participants should be in place no later than: 9:30 a.m.

We are in DIVISION 1 between Sisters of St. Joseph and Children's Museum of Connecticut.

Line up on the north side of Park Road beginning at the corner of South Highland. Enter parade site head-on from Park Road.

PLEASE NOTE: Political signs not allowed.

Remember to wear your green WHDPC t-shirt or other green shirt. Well-behaved dogs must be on leashes no longer than 6 ft. Please clean-up after your dog and bring water if it is a hot day.

We are looking forward to a great turnout in support of the Dog Park!

Any questions? email or call Caroline at barkeater@sbcglobal.net 860.985.4797