2010 Dog Park Meeting Minutes 

 

 


 

 

 
  R. L Nelson Dog Park Annual Meeting
April 19, 2010
Concord High School Community Room

The Annual meeting for 2010 was held at 6:30pm at the Concord High School Community Room.  Postcards had been sent out announcing the meeting, and there was a sign on the gate at the Dog Park.  Attending were 15-20 members, Dr. Rick Nelson, Barbara Nelson, and Tara Byers.
     All those attending received copies of the financial report, the rules, and the agenda.  Prior to the official meeting getting started, a notebook filled with before pictures of the dog park (when it was a falling apart Veal packing plant), and the construction of the park, was passed around.  A question was asked about how long the dog park had been in existence.  Through a little research, we found that the Dog Park was officially opened in 2002.  
    Dr. Nelson opened the meeting with a greeting, repeating the philosophy of the Dog Park - we are only here to have fun.  There are too many other serious things in your lives to worry about, this is not one of them.  This park is for dogs and their owners to have fun, period.  The members of the park run the park.  There are no employees, no "Dog Park Police" so everyone must pitch in to solve problems and keep it a place for fun.
    
    Barbara Nelson gave the financial report.  On December 31, 2008 the checking account held $4,163.48.  Expenses totaled $3,895.77 and donations were $7,416.00.  This left a balance of $7,683.71.  There had been no major construction projects done in 2009.
    
    The $25.00 fee per family was discussed.  It was found that this fee is far below what other dog parks are charging but seems to be very fair and is supporting all of the needs of the RL Nelson Dog Park.  It was moved and seconded that we keep the fee at $25.00 per family for 2010-2011.

    Tara reported that there are about 250 active member families.  She sent out 368 postcards regarding this meeting.  She will be sending out postcards again in May announcing the lock change June 1st, 2010.  
    Does anyone want to head up the committee to have an annual picnic?  There were no volunteers at the meeting.  The picnic last year was wonderful headed up by Saundra Turner.  If you would be the chair person, please pick a date, and call the clinic.  Tara will be more than happy to help you with the organizational aspects and she will announce the picnic and date on the postcards she will be sending out on the 2nd week of May.  

     **The lock system is still a problem, but it is still the best system we know of at this time.  If anyone has a better idea, please let the Animal Aid Clinic know.
    **It was suggested that the trees around the pond are starting to become a problem.  Again, if anyone has suggestions on how to improve the area please let us know.
    **The fertilizer stripe was produced by a malfunction of the spreader.  Unfortunately there was a broken fan belt.
    **A big thank you to the ladies of Animal Aid Clinic - South for doing all of the bookkeeping, maintenance calls, keys, postcards, and meeting arrangements - THANK YOU!
    **It was mentioned that the front entrance gets extremely congested.  It was suggested that the members work at moving away from the entrance and sit by the gazebo or move the chairs just a little farther from the entrance.  It is getting difficult to get dogs in and out.  Do it yourself and invite others to join you away from the entrance.
     
    The annual discussion of the children under the age of 12 rule took place.  As always, we all sympathize with the idea that people with small children cannot come.  But, the safety issues outweigh the convenience issues.  Adults have been taken off their feet by fast moving dogs.  The ignorance of children and their size make them much more vulnerable to racing dogs, or dogs that do not want to be touched.  It was moved and seconded that the 12 years of age rule be kept as is.  

    After good discussions, two improvement projects were approved.  First, the parking lot will be fixed.  It was moved and seconded that up to $2100.00 be used to fix the parking lot.  The second project is the paver project that has been discussed for 3 years.  The idea is to widen the entrance and help with the dirt/mud by the front gate.  It was moved and seconded that the paver project may use up to $2500.00.  If it will cost more than that, the pavers would be purchased but the project to install them would be put off until the next year.  
    One final motion was approved to allow a $4500.00 budget to be used for the two above projects.  That way, if the parking lot cost was less, the money could be used for the paver project and vice versa.  

    Thank you so much to all who attended the meeting.  Your input it vital to the success of the Robert L. Nelson Dog Park!