12 Establishing a Dog Park Tallahassee, Florida Members of the Ochlockonee River Kennel Club are always looking for ways to give back to their community, so when the opportunity came to help with the establishment of a dog park in Tallahassee, they jumped at the chance. The group had long realized how important it was for dog owners to have a place where they could socialize with others and let their dogs run or play Frisbee. At the same time, their community was facing problems at a nearby city park where owners were permitting their dogs to illegally roam off-leash. The solution seemed simple -build a dog park! A public committee was formed, and an ORKC board member volunteered to serve on behalf of the dog community. While the city of Tallahassee was receptive to the idea, it was clear that little could be done without funds for fencing, pooper-scoopers, and the like. ORKC, which donates to various organizations every year, soon agreed to give the city the $4,000 that would be needed to fence the two-acre park. Other clubs and fanciers followed suit, donating money for watering holes, cleanup facilities, shade trees, and benches. The city even donated old fire hydrants to add to the fun. The park has been extremely popular since its opening in the summer of 1999, and city officials, who originally agreed to open the park on a trial basis only, are now enthusiastic about developing more. Members of the ORKC are pleased to have had a helping hand in the park’s establishment and see it as a great opportunity to increase awareness of responsible dog ownership. SUCCESS STORY #4
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