It’s finally here! The first ever edition of the Sound Hounds Advocate. Get your Sound Hounds Newsletter – Issue 1 (April 2009) today!

Check out the new Sound Hounds bumper stickers, available for purchase! Contact Lynn Scroggins for more information at olyscroggins@comcast.net or call (360) 943-2119.

The Olympian, March 26, 2009

Check out the latest in the Olympian – Olympia City Officials Tour Potential Dog Park Sites!

Present

Lynn Scroggins, Whitney Bowerman, Kevin Jacobs, Shannon Wallace, Megan Berg, Kathy Evans, Donna Holt. Quorum? Yes. Thanks to Kevin and Skie for hosting the meeting.

Minutes

December, January and February minutes were approved.

Fundraising

Sound Hounds has received $130 via the PARC foundation. There is a link to donate on the Sound Hounds website.

Sound Hounds received grant money from a Community Foundation grant a while ago to create a demonstration dog park and thus far has not used this money. There has been some discussion about asking the Foundation if the money could instead be used to market a dog park book. Sound Hounds would need volunteers to help coordinate this.

Sites Update

Olympia is looking at Chambers Lake as a potential dog park site.

It is expected that within the next year dog parks will be specified in the park plans for all the jurisdictions (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Thurston County)

Events

Last year Sound Hounds had a booth at Lakefair. A lot of people are needed for this – the event last 5 days and is all day long.

April 11 is the Dog-gone easter hunt!

Contact List

Lynne needs to talk to Katie S. about helping to move the Sound Hounds contacts list into the customer relations management (CRM) software.

Masters in Public Administration (MPA) Student Help

Two Evergreen MPA students would like to do a project for Sound Hounds as part of their school work. Ideas include:

Comparative analysis of other dog parks

Writing a grant to solicit dog park development and maintenance

Develop and implement a marketing and outreach plan

Site development research

Present

David, Kathy, Glen, Lynn, Kevin, Cory, Skie, Dan. Quorum? Yes. Thanks to Kevin and Skie for hosting the meeting.

Minutes

Next month, review the December, January and February minutes.

Meeting change

The monthly meeting day was changed to the second Tuesdays to accommodate more people’s schedules. Kevin and Skie said that dogs are welcome when there is more daylight.
Next meeting: March 10, 2009, 6:30 pm at Kevin and Skie’s house.

Carlyon Beach Homeowners Association (CBHA) dog park presentation
Cory presented a video and updated the group on dog park development. They have $1,000 of $5,500 pledged for the 0.6 acre private dog park in their community located in northwest Thurston County. A number of fundraisers are in progress, including bumper stickers, stepping stones, and gourmet doggie treats for sale. They are working on a brochure and are seeking fencing and other materials, new or used. Two benches have been donated. Sound Hounds will continue to publicize, encourage, and provide technical assistance to the five-member CBHA Dog Park Team and their endeavors.

Recognition

David received an award of appreciation for his good work, especially as a researcher on a great variety of topics and site leads.

Dave contacted the few Tumwater residents on the contact list and received no responses. He will contact Fido’s Farm for help recruiting potential advocates. Lacey and Thurston County are exploring a dog park site on the closed Hawks Prairie landfill. Olympia is exploring a 2-4 acre dog park at the Chambers Lake park site, but it currently requires expensive roadside frontage improvements. Thurston County has Park Board vacancies – dog parks advocates are encouraged to apply. Lynn currently serves on the Olympia Park Board, and.

The group reviewed and approved a design. Kevin will fine-tune the design and get several cost estimates. We have a donation to help fund the bumper stickers.

Fundraising

The group decided to postpone fundraising and a membership drive until a site(s) is designed.

Book

The group approved Lynn and Beth to continue exploring an “Visiting the Dog Park book” outreach program to raise general, on-going awareness about good dog park behavior and etiquette.

Web site

The group approved payment of the annual $18 domain name fee (a donation was received to cover the cost).

Events

The group brainstormed outreach events:
April 11 – Dog-Gone Easter Egg Hunt (Lacey)
July 15-19 – Lakefair (Olympia) Great exposure, but we need volunteers before we commit.
August ?? – Run Like a Dog (Thurston County)
August 21-23 – Sand in the City (Olympia) Dave will check it out.
July 11 – Wolfhaven Wildlife Fest (Thurston County) Lynn will check it out.
July 10-12 – Nisqually Kennel Club’s All-Breed Dog Show (Mason County)
October 4 – Harvest Festival (Tumwater)

Dog Park Development

David and Lynn subscribe to the National-Dogpark-News elist. Others are encouraged to subscribe – it’s a great source of information.

Sound Hounds Board Meetings will now be held on the 2nd Tuesday (instead of the 2nd Wednesday) of each month. The time and place remains the same – 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Kevin and Skie’s home (1417 Brandon Ct NE, Olympia, WA 98506, 705-2620). The next board meeting is Tuesday March 10. All are welcome!

Please attend the January 22 Olympia Parks meeting and express the need for a medium-size (3-10 acre) dog park within Chambers Lake Park. If you aren’t able to attend the meeting, call or email (email is best) your dog park support to Olympia Parks Planner Jonathon Turlove at 753-8068 or jturlove@ci.olympia.wa.us.

Date

Thursday, January 22, 2009, 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Location

Olympia Christian Reform Church, 2121 Log Cabin Road SE.

Background

The City of Olympia owns a 46-acre undeveloped park adjacent to Chambers Lake and the Chehalis-Western Trail at 4808 Herman Rd SE. Funds for full development of this park will likely not be available for several years. Funds are available, however, for some interim improvements in 2009. Improvements could include improved a dog park, trails, picnic tables, or benches. City staff would like to know what ideas  you have for interim improvements on this site .

The Olympia City Council has identified creating a dog park as the #5 goal in their 2009 work plan.

Present

Kevin (thanks for hosting), Dan, Dave, Kathy, Lynn, and Glen. Quorum? Yes.

Strategic plan

Short-term strategy: Sound Hounds works with each jurisdiction to develop and operate one medium sized (3-10+ acre) “starter” dog park, in partnership with Sound Hounds.
Short-term strategy: Sound Hounds works with each jurisdiction to include in their Parks Plan, a network of dog parks in regional, community, and neighborhood parks.
Short-term strategy: Sound Hounds works with each jurisdiction to designate sites on undeveloped or underutilized park land, then ask for community contributions.
Long-term strategy: Sound Hounds works with each jurisdiction to develop and operate a network of dog parks, in partnership with Sound Hounds.

2009 goals

Increase outreach and awareness – use web site, media, petitions, presentations, displays, brochures, flyers, and “I [paw] dog parks” bumper stickers effectively.
Increase involvement – build supporters and partners, web site links (i.e. vets, pet stores, restaurants, neighborhood associations), Out & Bout events, regional events, participation in the public process.

Sound Hounds Organization

Petitions and contacts are now managed by Katy and Whitney. Lynn will distribute a roster to Board and key advocates. Kevin will create several “I [paw] dog parks” bumper sticker designs and get several price quotes. The Speakers Bureau is gearing up for presentations. Lynn emailed a dog park awareness slide to Animal Services for their customer service display screen. Beth will attend Animal Services Commission bi-monthly meetings as a visitor/Sound Hounds rep. Whitney continues to enhance the web site. Glen will present a financial report next month.

South Sound Jurisdictions

Lacey (Jim Sheeler meetings continue; $$ budgeted for dog parks), Olympia (potential dog park site at Chambers Lake Park and related 1/22/09 public meeting), Tumwater (establish a dog park committee; potential dog park site under BPA line), Thurston County (potential dog park site at old Hawks Prairie landfill adjacent to potential Park & Ride).

Other Jurisdictions

Panorama (Lacey) opened a private, pocket-size dog park for members only. Longview opened their first dog park; they’re planning a Spring grand opening. Vancouver opened their third dog park.

Next meeting

February 11, 6:30pm, 1417 Brandon Ct NE, Olympia, WA 98506, at Kevin and Skie’s home, 705-2620. Everyone is welcome. Directions: From the San Francisco Street Bakery in Northeast Olympia, drive north on Bethel St, pass the big dip in the road, turn right on Brandon Ct NE (26th is too far), and look for their house on the right (yellow with bright green trim) with Kevin’s famous gold 1970 Plymouth Valiant parked in the driveway.

View Larger Map

Sound Hounds monthly meeting, 2009 Board election, and holiday party

Present

Kevin Jacobs and Skie Bender (thanks for hosting) Dan Sully, Alenka Andruss, Lynn and Glen Scroggins, Whitney Bowerman. Quorum? Yes.

Holiday Party

Thanks to all for the snacks and beverages. It was good to socialize and play with Joey, Kevin and Skie’s new puppy.

Certificates

Certificates of appreciation were presented to the 2008 Board (Lynn, Heather Highmiller, Marcelle Thurston, Nick Demerice, Kevin, Dan, Alenka) and to key advocates (Katy Stansifer, Kathy Evans, Beth Ilem, David Hamilton, Donna Holt, Dane & Dana Clay, Whitney & Luke Bowerman, Daniel Sully, James Reddick, Teri Lamson). The certificates will be mailed to people who were not present.

Web site

The Sound Hounds web site has been enhanced with a new look and new features – check it out! Thanks to Whitney and Luke for their good work.

2009 Board

Motion to approve the 2009 Board candidates (below) was made by Dan, seconded by Alenka, with all in favor. Vacant positions will be filled as the opportunity arises.

2009 Board

President: Lynn
Vice President: Vacant
Secretary: Whitney
Treasurer: Glen (acting)
Outreach: Kevin
Park Development: Dan
Volunteer: Alenka
Fundraising: Vacant

Quorum, including member-at-large: 4

Meetings

Sound Hounds will continue with monthly Board meetings (everyone is welcome), same day, but at a new time and place. We’ll meet on the second Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm (for 1 hour or 1.5 hours depending on the amount of business) at Kevin and Skie’s home. Their address/phone: 1417 Brandon Ct NE, Olympia, WA 98506, 705-2620. Their directions: From the San Francisco Street Bakery in Northeast Olympia, drive north on Bethel St, pass Mission Creek (the bigger dip in the road), turn right on Brandon Ct NE (26th is too far), and look for their house on the right (yellow with bright green trim) with Kevin’s famous gold 1970 Plymouth Valiant parked in the driveway.

View Larger Map

Next meeting. January 21, 6:30 pm, 1417 Brandon Ct NE, Olympia, WA 98506

Mark Your Calendars

Sound Hounds monthly board meetings will be held at Kevin and Skie’s home, second Wednesdays, 6:30pm, 1417 Brandon Ct NE, Olympia, WA 98506, 705-2620. The first meeting of 2009 is January 14, 6:30 pm, 1417 Brandon Ct NE, Olympia, WA 98506.

Directions:
From the San Francisco Street Bakery in Northeast Olympia, drive north on Bethel St, pass Mission Creek (the bigger dip in the road), turn right on Brandon Ct NE (26th is too far), and look for their house on the right (yellow with bright green trim) with Kevin’s famous gold 1970 Plymouth Valiant parked in the driveway.
View Larger Map