Welcome to KC Scoop - Kansas City Society of Canine Owners for an Off-Leash Park

(UpdatedJanuary 14, 2004)

CONSULTANTS RECOMMEND CLOSING SHAWNEE MISSION PARK'S OFF-LEASH AREA

(12/18/03)

Following an open meeting to discuss the parks' master plan, the Kansas City Star endorses Johnson County Parks and Recreation District's idea of closing and relocating the popular dog park at Shawnee Mission Park.

As reported in the Star (Dec. 17, 2003):

Johnson County plans would improve parks
Proposal should accommodate growth

As any dog owner will attest, dogs love to run free. But too few areas permit it.

Johnson County parks officials are thinking ahead, hoping eventually to offer dogs a new area to run off their leashes in or near Shawnee Mission Park. But will the human dog owners go along with these plans?

That may well depend on whether the Johnson County Park and Recreation District can show that its 20-year master plan for the park would create a bigger and better off-leash area.

While changes could upset some dog owners in the short-term, the county should make the wisest investment that will serve the fast-growing area over the next few decades.

Today, the district is scheduled to conduct a public hearing to discuss proposed master plans for Shawnee Mission Park, Heritage Park and Ernie Miller Park and Nature Center.

The district's consultants have suggested trying to relocate the popular off-leash area in Shawnee Mission Park to another nearby location. They cite a list of concerns about the current site: The dogs are eroding the lake shoreline, damaging prairie plants and polluting the lake. In addition, the consultants say they want to provide amenities such as permanent rest rooms and dog-wash facilities.

It would be sensible to make those permanent improvements at a new site if one can be found that doesn't cause as many problems as the current site does. Failing that, the improvements could be made at the current site, if dog owners support them.

Owners who have concerns about the district's approach will have a chance to voice them at today's meeting.

The three proposed master plans would:

At Shawnee Mission Park, expand trails; improve roadways and the Theater in the Park complex; and create the Oakridge Nature Center after moving the current Oakridge horse stables to Kill Creek Park. Estimated cost of improvements: $18.6 million.

At Heritage Park, improve dog off-leash area, picnic areas, soccer complex and golf course, and add a Heritage Farmstead that re-creates a small family farm. Estimated cost: $22.5 million.

At Ernie Miller Park, add trails, improve the nature center and enhance wildlife viewing areas. Estimated cost: $2.1 million.

Throughout the Kansas City area, residents have high standards for their parks systems. That tradition started more than a century ago in central Kansas City. Planners laid out extensive boulevards and parks that, to this day, continue to guide housing and retail development.

In Johnson County, officials deserve credit for trying to meet the pent-up demand for open spaces where people can walk, play sports, have picnics or take part in many other activities. It takes planning to make sure land for parks is bought early and then appropriately developed for the next generation of users to enjoy and the generations after that.

Architectural renderings of the proposed changes in Johnson County will be available to the public starting at 5 p.m. today at the park district's administrative offices, 7900 Renner Road, in Shawnee Mission Park. Park officials will make a presentation about the plans at 6 p.m. The public will have the chance to comment at the board's meeting, scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

The park district has good reasons to approve all three master plans. They detail positive improvements that the district can make as it receives the money required to complete them in the next 20 years.

CONSULTANT RECOMMENDS CHANGES TO DOG AREA AT SHAWNEE MISSION PARK

(10/25/03)

An article in the September 25 edition of the Johnson County Sun reports that a consultant has recommended closing the popular dog area at Shawnee Mission Park "because, among other reasons, it interferes with prairie restoration."

Here is the full recommendation, from the Johnson County Parks Department's Web Site:

Off-Leash Dog Area:
If a suitable site can be found in the vicinity of Shawnee Mission Park, the District should relocate the off-leash area to create a dedicated off-leash park. The new site should be larger in useable area to accommodate increased loading, provide improved access to amenities such as restrooms and drinking fountains, be able to provide adequate parking, and include a pond. This relocation is also recommended as means to improve the native plant community, improve the wildlife habitat, and protect the lake shoreline and water quality in the current off-leash area of Shawnee Mission Park. If a suitable new site is not available, or if acquisition of a suitable site cannot happen in the near term, the following improvements are proposed for the existing site.
Drinking Fountains for People & Dogs
Expanded Internal Parking
Restrooms
Containment Fencing around Dog Beach
Begin Prairie Restoration on the east slope of ridge

This is from Johnson County Parks & Recreation Department's Planning & Development for Shawnee Mission Park. (Click the Preliminary Planning Concepts link to load the image, then double-click area 18.)

"Dogpark - National News" DISCUSSION GROUP

(6/20/03)

Want to learn more about dogparks nationwide? This Yahoo discussion group is a clearinghouse of information about dog parks from coast to coast. Members post news articles about dog parks, so you can read about efforts to start new parks, about successes, as well as problems with existing ones. (Particularly impressive is the piece about the 13-year-old Eagle Scout from Medford, MA who single-handedly raised $30,000 to start a park.)

To read the postings, you must subscribe to the group. Membership is free, and you can participate at various levels. You can receive e-mails of all postings, a digest or summary of many postings, or you can elect to read postings on the web. Here's a link to the site:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dogpark-National-News/

KC SCOOP DISCUSSION GROUP

We've created a similar Yahoo discussion group for KC SCOOP. Follow this link if you'd like to participate in the discussions:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kcscoop

KC SCOOP IN DOS MUNDOS

(6/15/03)

This week's edition of DOS MUNDOS (Two Worlds), Kansas City's bilingual newspaper, gives KC SCOOP glowing reviews. The article, West Side soon to be home to KCMO's first off-leash park, describes KC SCOOP's efforts to obtain PIAC funding to secure the site in Penn Valley Park.

(Click to read the article in Dos Mundos)

KC SCOOP's FUNDRAISER AND SILENT AUCTION NETS OVER $5,000

(5/6/03)

Thanks to everyone who braved bad weather to attend KC SCOOP's May 4 fundraiser. As area tornado sirens blared, about 100 courageous SCOOP supporters attended eight parties held in people's homes. We weren't in any immediate danger, and the skies cleared at 5:30, just in time for the silent auction and dessert reception at the Just Off Broadway Theatre. Those who attended enjoyed music and dessert, as well as some pleasant weather and sunshine just down the hill from the new park.

Even though the storm kept some guests from venturing out, those of you who did attend really came through for us. Nearly everyone brought home a t-shirt, gift certificate, or doggy accessory from our array of nearly 45 Silent Auction Items, helping us reach our goal of raising $5,000.

Again, thank all of you for your contributions and enthusiasm. Next summer, when we have a safe, legal place to take our pets, we can all feel some satisfaction knowing we were part of the push that got things rolling.

--Mary Bunten

MEETING WITH KC PARKS & REC

(3/22/03)

Three KC SCOOP reps met with Parks representatives to discuss next steps for our park. The meeting went very well; they were helpful, excited and very supportive. We found out that the construction contract is put out for bid to three companies on a fairly informal basis. We can provide input on this part of the process. Our thought is that we may be able to establish a less expensive contract. For example, a construction company that is in this kind of business and would meet the Parks department legal requirements and who wants to help out KC SCOOP get the park built would obviously be very beneficial to us all! So if you know anyone that might meet these criteria, please contact us. We will work with Parks & Rec to get a request for bid to them. The less we have to spend on infrastructure, the more we have for amenities (i.e. WATER).

We are also looking at options for some type of "in honor of" pavers/stones to use as a fundraising opportunity as well as to pave specific areas of the park. Watch for more details about this effort. And if you have any ideas - please feel free to share them!

--Nan Vail

BROOKSIDE ST.PATRICK'S DAY WARM-UP PARADE

(3/22/03)

March 15 was a gorgeous day, and we had a good turnout for the KC SCOOP entry (despite the KU/MU BBall game). Thanks to those who could make it. We all had a great time, showing off our dogs, handing out dog biscuits to the crowd, and getting more visibility for our group.

Frank Connaghan's pictures from the general meeting and the parade can be found at:
http://groups.msn.com/hhhTurtles/scoopmarchmeeting.msnw

KC SCOOP IN THE NEWS!

(3/22/03)

We had the very fortunate opportunity to be on Fox 4 News this past Saturday morning. Sandy Brown (of citydog and a wonderful volunteer for KCSCOOP!) asked us to appear with her for three live shots at Penn Valley Park. We were able to provide some info on the park, and the great things it can do for dog owners, as well as for the city. This was a great way for KC SCOOP to gain momentum and visibility!

TERRIFIC TURNOUT FOR MARCH 11 MEETING

(3/12/03)

More than 40 people turned out for SCOOP's March 11 meeting at Charlie Hooper's in Brookside. We had a full agenda: to elect new officers, celebrate PIAC, and talk about the May 4 fundraiser. In addition, City Council member and candidate Becky Nace addressed the group about her efforts on behalf of animals in Kansas City.

First, outgoing president Willoughby Johnson handed over leadership of Scoop to Nan Vail. Last summer, Vail made SCOOP's successful presentation to PIAC. "She'll do a great job leading us the rest of the way through completing Kansas City's first off-leash park," Johnson said. Ted Barnett will remain Vice President, Diane Bulan will be Secretary, and Jack Gregg will continue to serve as Treasurer.

Next, Mary Bunten summarized the plan for the May 4 fundraiser. There are still lots of opportunities to get involved with planning the parties and silent auction. If you're interested, just e-mail kcscoop1@earthlink.net to let us know, and we'll put you to work.

Another way to get involved is to volunteer to staff a table or booth at other dog-related events, like Wayside Waif's Mutt Strut. Ted Barnett explained how he planned to keep track of these to make sure we always have a presence because this is a great way get the word out about Scoop to people we already know will be interested. Two such events are coming up: The Brookside St. Patrick's Day Parade is on Saturday, March 15. Also, the Armour Hills Dog Social is on Saturday, April 5.

Next, City Council member and candidate Becky Nace spoke to the group about her efforts on behalf of animals in our city. Thanks to her hard work, Animal Control enjoys a new, improved facility, and much more success at adopting out pets that would previously have been euthanized. Nace, who adopted two shelter dogs, is enthusiastic about off-leash parks. "People in the Northland want them, people out south want them," she said, acknowledging how popular they are. Nace then outlined her plan for privatizing Animal Control's shelter operations, and introduced Janna Carlson, her pick to lead the effort. Scoop appreciates Nace's efforts to improve the quality of life for animals and people throughout Kansas City.

If you plan to donate, or have already donated, to her campaign, let her know you're associated with KC SCOOP and support off-leash areas in Kansas City.

--Mary Bunten

PIAC UPDATE

(3/01/03)

Great News! KC SCOOP has received approval from the PIAC committee for our funding application. And for the full amount requested: $30,000. This is largely due to the great showing we had at the PIAC hearing last summer, as well as all of the strong support we have received from numerous members to date. This should definitely be enough to get our fencing infrastructure in place, and get this park going.

We are still waiting for City Council final approval; however in-district approval from PIAC has always been approved at the City level in the past.
Although we do not yet have the specifics on when and how we actually see these funds, the PIAC process usually makes them available around May. So, hopefully soon after that, we will be negotiating with Kansas City Parks & Recreation to get our fence built!