10 Establishing a Dog Park • Enlist the support of local veterinarians, groomers, dog walkers, and others who have a real interest in seeing a community filled with healthy, wellsocialized dogs. Involve them in gathering petitions, writing letters to the editor of local papers and generally spreading the word. • Organize local residents to contact their community representatives, parks department officials, and media in the form of letters, e-mails, and phone calls, asking for their support. • Consider sending press releases to local media, explaining how the community will benefit from a dog park and providing information about the success of existing parks in other areas. • You’ll need to get the neighbors’ approval, too. Explain your proposal to them, as well as the ways that a dog park will benefit them, and ask them to sign a separate petition stating that they are willing to have the park in their neighborhood. Get to know local officials – your city council members and the director of your department of parks and recreation. Attend meetings, join them at fund-raisers. Find out what they need from you to move the dog park forward. To help you get started, the AKC’s Government Relations Department can provide you with brochures offering tips on working with government officials.
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