11/03/18: Meeting Minutes
Updated: Jan 22, 2019
Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition Minutes
Date: 11/03/2018
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Facilitator: Tegan Barron & Rocha Dollar
Guest speakers: Eileen Magill (DOGPAW President), Lenice Shaw (DOGPAW Secretary-Treasurer), Rick SantAngelo (DOGPAW Volunteer Coordinator)
In Attendance
Rocha D., Jim H., Rosa H., Larry J., Tegan B., Jane V., John V., Eileen M., Rick S., Lenice S.,
Donna C., Dan F., and others not listed (illegible).
Approval of Minutes
These minutes have been approved by the following: Tegan & Rocha
Reason for Meeting
To continue updating the community at large of the Vancouver Dog Parks Coalitions (VDPC)
mission statement, efforts, findings, results of the Dog Toy Drive, and upcoming dog park supporting events. The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition was present to discuss our efforts to
support the Vancouver Public Off-Leash Dog Parks in their efforts to remain: Free, Safe, and
Open to the Public. The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition is a grassroots movement consisting
of over 90 determined dog lovers from Vancouver, Washington who were alarmed when The
as Sept 1st 2018. The Columbian article dated 07/12/2018, Mark Watson (DOGPAW,
President) was quoted saying “By Sept. 1, if we cannot come to some form of agreement
with this, we will pull up stakes.” Vancouver Dog Parks coalition is interested to understand
what can be done to ensure our dog parks stay open, with specific importance on Ike/Ross.
In a letter to both the City of Vancouver and Clark County dated 06/07/2018, Watson again
reaffirms, “Unless the City and County can commit to our proposal by September, 1 2018,
DOGPAW will regretfully relinquish its role of maintaining and operating the off-leash parks,
on your behalf, and for all your constituents, as of December 31 2018.” DOGPAW recently
elected new members, including President Eileen Magill and Volunteer Coordinator Rick
SantAngelo. VDP invited all members of DOGPAW to attend a public open-forum Q&A.
Key Issues
The 09/15/2018 meeting discussed issues surrounding DOGPAW’s lack of transparency with the public with specific concerns and/or confusion about the current DOGPAW bylaws, land owner concerns, and how the local dog loving community can support our public dog parks. This meeting focused on updating and thanking the community for their support in the recent Vancouver Dog Park successes since the last meeting (website dev, email lists, “clean-up kits”, and the replacement of the main gates at Ike) as well as to serve as a meet and greet with the 3 DOGPAW board members who opted to join VDP’s open public forum.
Since the 09/15/2018, the Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition is and has worked on: New VDP news. How can we, the community, help our public dog parks? What measures are DOGPAW taking to ensure the dog parks stay free, safe, and open to the public? Will DOGPAW speak with the public to hear concerns, compliments, and questions?
Vancouver Dog Park News
Continued development and maintenance of the fresh, vibrant website (https://vancouverdogparks.wixsite.com/home) which is updated regularly with news and information for dog owners and park users. This included the recent Ike water shut off and temporary park closure notices (for park maintenance).
Compiling and managing e-mail contact lists for the more than 90 frequent park users.
The community pooled together funds for 6 clean-up kits that have been placed at Ike and include long-handled pooper scoopers and buckets.The community effort also funded replacement parts (damaged wheels, broken handles, damaged/corroded hardware) for two wheelbarrows at Ike. Volunteers have performed the necessary repairs on their own time and for free – We want to say a sincere thank you to all who helped with funds, time, and knowledge!
Coordinated notification to DOGPAW of deterioration of the main gate at Ike, resulting in prompt replacement. Thank you DOGPAW!
10/27/18: Clean-up day at Ike, given with short notice, brought ~25 volunteers to the park who got down to business promptly filling holes, scooping poop, raking, pulling invasive blackberry bushes, and trimming overhanging branches.
VDP would like to recognize Larry Johnson (who visits almost daily with his Great Pyrenees, Angie) for his numerous, near-constant, and self-directed efforts to maintain the park. His efforts include removing weeds, mending fence gaps, clearing brush, and realigning the gates to close properly. Mr. Johnson received a thank you card, a gift card from VDP founding members, and a round of community applause.
VDP continues to inquire with DOGPAW about the organization’s plan, unveiled last summer, that would move to privatize DOGPAW operated dog parks. The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition mounted a community campaign and has been in contact with the DOGPAW board and press for updates on the status of the parks.
VDP has inquired with DOGPAW for more frequent and transparent communication with park users and the community at large.
How can we, the community, help out public dog parks?
We’ve heard concerns from VDP members that efforts may be too focused on Ike and do not address the other DOGPAW parks. While the initial meeting of VDP was at Ike, VDP would like to announce all park goers are welcome from across all parks. A substantial amount of folks involved with the VDP email list are frequent Ike users and, the public was right, VDP acknowledged having low participation from members of the other parks (Dakota, Kane, & Lucky). To help combat information isolation, VDP members have placed additional meeting notices at all parks! VDP encourages folks to spread the word, email VDP through the site and let our folks know if you see signs that are worn or tear slips that need to be replaced, or even let us know if you want a copy of the file so you can share with your network.
Park goers and dog lovers are encouraged to sign-up for the VDP mailer that keeps users connected with future park clean-up days, community meeting information, park closure dates, news, and more. Vancouver Dog Parks is actively looking for members to assist with efforts including volunteers, community liaisons, communications, graphics, and pretty much everything! We are a grassroots movement and volunteers keep us running. If you are interested in anything from volunteering at a clean-up day to submitting your pups photo to the Instagram feed, just shoot us an email (vancouverdogparks@gmail.com).
DOGPAW is seeking new board members, volunteers, and staff. This could be a way for members of the public to have a voice on the DOGPAW board. As a note: VDP is not associated with DOGPAW.
What measures are DOGPAW taking to ensure the dog parks stay free, safe, and open to the public?
Clark County’s 4 off-leash parks are on either county-owned or federally-owned land. As quoted by Mark Watson (former DOGPAW President), Dakota and Ike are both on property owned by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), with Dakota operated on a long-term
lease with the City of Vancouver. DOGPAW stated that discussions have been made between DOGPAW, the City, and the County that address the status of the parks, park use, safety, and future plans. Items currently in discussion could not be detailed, but the community awaits more details on the future of the parks.
Will DOGPAW speak with the public to hear concerns, compliments, and questions? … YES! DOGPAW Open Q&A Forum
The meeting facilitator’s turned the floor over to DOGPAW’s newly elected President, Eileen Magill, and fellow board members in attendance for introductions and a public Q&A. Magill stated the DOGPAW board is determined to improve communication with park users in 2019. The mixed message over the parks potential closure as initially stated in the 06/07/2018 letter penned by former President, Mark Watson, and as reported in The Columbian article dated 07/12/2018, were addressed. The initial letter to the City and County included DOGPAW demands that the City of Vancouver and Clark County takeover enforcement and some maintenance at the parks, under threat of park closures starting 2019. This message of potential closures startled many park visitors, as well as some DOGPAW board members according to the group. Per Ms. Magill, the drastic action to close the parks has been tabled (at least for now) and the board will look to increase transparency between DOGPAW board members and the public. This increased contact in expected through increased updates via e-mail, social media, postings on park signboards, and through other means.
Key Business
Vancouver Dog Parks coalition has over 90 members from the Vancouver off-leash parks. Members stay in contact through email (vancouverdogparks@gmail.com). We encourage users from the other parks to organize and join our efforts to keep the parks free, safe, and open to the public.
Approximately 25 FANTASTIC volunteers came together for a park clean-up day at Ike. Over 20-wheelbarrow loads of debris was removed from the trails. The efforts include: filling holes, scooping poop, raking, pulling invasive blackberry bushes, and trimming overhanging branches.
The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition is actively looking for members to assist with efforts including volunteers, community liaisons, communications, graphics, and pretty much everything! We are a grassroots movement and volunteers keep us running!
The Website’s addition of the Action Center helps to connect users with ways to contact local representatives to let them know our parks are important.
Thanks to public support, we’ve fully fund 6 pet waste kits (waste scoop and 5-Gallon bucket) and repaired 2 broken wheelbarrows!
Volunteers at Ike clean-up day 
Ike Lower Trail (Before) 
Ike Lower Trail (After)
Committee Reports
Clean-up day results
Park closure status
Public awareness
Volunteer efforts
Announcements
Stay tuned for additional efforts to support the parks and increase awareness. Upcoming events include another park clean-up day and additional information from DOGPAW.
Next Meeting
Date 01/19/2019 | Time 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Location Downtown Vancouver Community Library
Motion to adjourn was made at 12:00 p.m. and was passed unanimously.
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