 What's happening? Click on the upper left corner of this page OR click here: Activity log with recaps of meetings and events. Calendar of events. Links to sponsors, partners, dog park locaters, and more. And videos. We also have great photos on our Picasa site. Send us your news and information, links, photos, videos, etc to post :-)
South Puget Sound's first dog parks are opening this fall!
The first Off-Leash Dog Areas in Olympia and Thurston County will be fully fenced and feature small/timid- and large-dog areas, signage, rules, drinking water, pathways, information kiosks, seating, double-gate entry systems, service gates, dog-friendly landscaping, public art, and more.
* Olympia: The Sunrise Park Off-Leash Dog Area (OLDA or dog park) is under construction and will open in October 2010. Here is the site map and drawing. Olympia adopted the Olympia Parks, Arts, and Recreation 2010 Plan (Parks Plan) on August 10, 2010, an update that provides opportunities for many dog parks, and specifically designates three OLDAs to be built in the next ten years, including Sunrise Park OLDA (1.5 acres) located in West Olympia, Chambers Lake Park OLDA (5 acres) located in Southeast Olympia, and another OLDA to be built in an existing park. Here is the Chambers Lake Park OLDA architectural drawing. Thanks to the Olympia staff, Park and Recreation Advisory Committee, and the City Council for listening to the public and creating a Parks Plan that meets everyone's needs. And many thanks to folks who attended many public meetings, called, or emailed their comments in support of Olympia dog parks over the two- year planning process :-)
* Thurston County: The 5-acre Thurston County Off-Leash Dog Area at Hawks Prairie is under construction and will open in October 2010. Click here for a brochure that has information (including directions) about the dog park and the Buy-A-Brick fundraising program for more county dog parks. Here is the preliminary plan and architectural drawing for the dog park, located at the old Hawks Prairie landfill off Hogum Bay Road. Next to the dog park is Closed Loop Park a beautiful garden developed by WSU Cooperative Extension's Thurston County Master Gardeners and Master Composters programs - dogs aren't allowed in the garden, but people are encouraged to visit and get involved!
The county is also updating the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan (Parks Plan) which will be a two-year process, beginning this summer. Click here for information about the Parks Plan update, including the public involvement process and a sign-up for webmail information about public meetings. Public involvement is extremely important! Send email and/or make a three-minute public comment around public meetings with your ideas or concerns. The Parks Plan needs to reflect Thurston County residents' priority on dog parks and include components that provide opportunities to develop many dog parks - all sizes - throughout Thurston County over the next 10 years and beyond.
* Lacey: Lacey adopted its Comprehensive Plan for Outdoor Recreation (Parks Plan) on July 22, 2010. This update will guide development for the next 5-6 years. Off-leash dog areas are listed as a desired community resource. Thanks to the Lacey staff, Board of Park Commissioners, Planning Commission, City Council, and the public, especially the many dog park advocates who attended the open house, public meetings, and completed surveys about their park and recreation experiences and ideas to incorporate into the plan.
* Tumwater: Tumwater is exploring dog park sites. The Tumwater Parks Plan was updated and adopted in 2008 and includes dog parks as a need. Tumwater advocates are organizing around ways to encourage dog park development. If you live in Tumwater and want to join our Tumwater advocacy group, please contact David.
* Regional collaboration: See the activity log for a January 20 summary of a meeting of Parks Boards and related staff, management, and several officials within Thurston County. Dog parks were briefly discussed as a need for collaborative development. Sound Hounds is also working with the Port of Olympia and the Washington State Parks on dog park developments. * Private dog parks: Panorama City recently opened a private dog park. The Carlyon Beach Homeowners Association is building a private dog park for their residents and guests and is still fundraising - contact Cory Hilby for more information. These dog parks require a key card for access.
Photo Gallery Click here to view other Sound Hounds photo albums. What's needed?
Volunteers
We welcome volunteers to help with public outreach, booths, park development, work parties, donations, and fundraising. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lynn, complete a Sound Hounds volunteer survey, or join us at our next meeting!
Donations We gladly accept tax-deductible donations of any amount through the PARC Foundation, our fiscal agent (PARC = Parks, Arts, Recreation, Cultural). While the basics of the first two regional dog parks are funded, we need to raise funds for additional amenities and additional dog parks.
Please donate online, or send your check or money order, with Sound Hounds listed as the designated recipient, to PARC Foundation, 723 Eastside Street NE, Olympia WA 98506.
We also depend on donations, including membership fees, to cover organizational and outreach expenses and to match with funds from other sources. A Founding Member is any person or organization who has donated at one of the following membership levels from our beginning (2005) until the opening of our initial dog parks (October 2010). Become a founding member of Sound Hounds today!
Membership Levels
1 Paw ($25 - $99) you'll receive a bumper sticker and membership pin
2 Paws ($100 - $499) you'll receive the above, plus a Visiting the Dog Park book
3 Paws ($500 - $999) you'll recieve the above and more!
4 Paws ($1,000 - $4,999) and more!!
The Whole Dog ($5,000 and over) bow-WOW - and more!!!
Advocacy
We encourage you to contact elected leaders in the jurisdictions where you live, work, shop, and vote. Thank Olympia and Thurston County leaders for creating the first off leash dog areas in the region. Encourage Lacey and Tumwater leaders to develop off leash dog areas in those communities. Ask them to work with Sound Hounds to designate unfunded sites for the next dog parks. Attend a public meeting, alone or with one or more friends, and give a short public comment with the same message.
 Plastic Poo Bags
We need used, clean small plastic bags (e.g. newspaper bags, produce bags) to restock the pooper scooper bag stations located in most Olympia parks. Bring your "bag o bags" to Animal Services (on Martin Way) or to the Olympia Parks Maintenance Facility (in Priest Point Park behind the rose garden) for redistribution. Alternatively, you can take the bags with you on your next walk and restock your nearest pooper scooper bag stations directly.
What else?
If you have any questions about Sound Hounds or if you are able to partner with us or contribute to our efforts to create a network of successful dog parks in South Puget Sound, please contact Lynn Scroggins (contact info at upper left).
Our monthly meetings are on the first Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30 pm, at Kevin Jacobs and Skie Bender's home, located north of the San Fransisco Street Bakery at 1417 Brandon Ct NE, Olympia, WA 98506. Everyone is welcome.
Visit our activity log for recaps of the monthly meetings.
For Core Group members only (sign-in with the secret email address and password) we have new access to internal documents.
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Our Mission Sound Hounds is a dog park advocacy group working with Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, Thurston County, and other jurisdictions to provide a variety of off-leash areas (dog parks) for South Puget Sound residents and visitors.
"Dogs aren't our whole lives, but they make our lives whole." |
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