How to build an affordable community dog park
Suburbia is becoming more crowded every year and leash laws are becoming more restrictive. Concerned dog owners are trying to establish community dog parks to spend quality time with their dogs. If you have a backyard on your property (whether you are a homeowner or a renter) the best solution would be to assemble one of our Do-it-Yourself dog fence kits. They are affordable, effective, humane, and have been tested by PETA. But that is not always possible in urban areas, gated communities or restrictive HOAs.
How do you get started?
Start with a small group of committed dog park activists. Talk with a half dozen other individuals who are concerned about the lack of off-leash spaces. These may be people you already know, or you may want to put a notice in your local community Facebook group. This group will be responsible for meeting with public officials, making presentations, maintaining the dog park and defusing any problems that arise.
Create a budget. Determine how much it will cost to construct and maintain the dog park. This is where Pet Playgrounds can help you tremendously. Our fencing kits are incredibly affordable, and can be installed virtually anywhere, by just about anyone. For a relatively small dog park of 500 linear feet (or 15,625 square feet) a traditional 4 foot chain link fence can cost you more than $10,000 for materials and installation. However, a Pet Playgrounds 4 foot dog fencing kit would cost $6,250 to enclose the same area. We can install the product for you or you can install it yourself. This means that you can ask for volunteers to help assemble your community dog park and save $3,000 – making the dog park even more affordable.
Spread the word. Enlist the support of local veterinarians, groomers, dog walkers, and others who have a real interest in seeing a community filled with healthy, well-socialized dogs. Involve them in gathering petitions, writing letters to the editor of local papers, local television stations and engage them on Twitter and Facebook.
Maintenance & Fundraising. In some areas, park associations work in conjunction with local kennel clubs and animal shelters to organize volunteer “park cleanup” days. Local businesses, like dog groomers and pet stores may be willing to donate funds if you can offer brand exposure. One of the easiest ways is to print their logo and coupon information on dog waste bags that everyone has to use. Another way is to name your dog park after a corporate sponsor, which any pet related business would love to do if your dog park becomes popular. You can also work with mobile groomers and ask them to service the patrons on a specific weekend and ask them to donate a percentage of proceeds towards the dog park. There are many ways to fundraise. You simply have to think outside the box. You can even obtain financing with 0% APR through PayPal.
What would an ideal dog park look like?
- An ideal dog park would consist of a 5 foot tall enclosure of at least 500 linear feet. The fence should be equipped with a double-gated entry to keep dogs from escaping and to facilitate wheelchair access.
- Cleaning supplies, including covered garbage cans, waste bags, and pooper- scooper stations need to be obtained prior to usage
- If space allows, it is preferable to provide separate areas for small and large dogs. This will enable large dog owners to allow their pets to run freely, while protecting smaller dogs who may not be suited to the enthusiastic play of larger breeds. This is incredibly easy with a Pet Playgrounds fence because of the way our fence has been designed.
Have questions? Schedule a call with a Pet Fence Expert
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