This website is for the Friends of Doylestown Dog Park (FDDP) who volunteered to create a dog park in the Doylestown Community! After 3 1/2 years of hard work, the park is open! To become a registered member, please read more about the process below. We will update our FAQ’s soon, but some good info is below to answer your questions.
The off leash area is located on part of Doylestown Township Turk III Park. No tax dollars were used to create the park, all funds to build the off leash area were raised through fund raising efforts of FDDP and ongoing maintenance is funded by the registration fees. To get involved and informed about ongoing volunteer and donation opportunities and events please check back here or check out our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/doylestowndogpark and our Twitter page, www.twitter.com/DtownDogPark.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):
Updated 10/18/12Q: Where is the dog park?
A: Doylestown Dog Park is at Turk 3 Park in Doylestown Township. Directions: if you are coming from Doylestown, take 611/ Main St South and turn right on Almshouse Rd. The dog park parking lot will be on your left- if you hit Turk Rd, then you went too far. Park in the lot and walk up the gravel road with your leashed dog to the park There will be handicap parking closer to the entrance so look for the handicap parking signs. Other directional tips: Look for the dog park parking lot across the street from the Bucks County Correctional facility. We don’t have an exact address to give you for GPS. Don’t use Googlemaps because it’s not on there yet and will take you to the wrong place. Mapquest will get you there if you plug in 1232 Almshouse Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901. You can use GPS to get to the Bucks County Correctional Facility (1260 Almshouse Rd) and know that we are across the street from it.
Q: How much money is needed to build the dog park?
A: The estimated budget is $160,000. This budget includes actual costs and in-kind services. The amount of cash to be raised will obviously decrease as service and material donations increase. We had some unexpected construction costs so the budget has increased slightly.
Q: When with the dog park be completed? When will it open?
A: We are open! We opened on Sept 22!
Q: When does Orientation and Registration begin?
A: Orientation has begun! Orientation is a required free class to learn all the dog park rules, dog behavior and etiquette. The Township asked us to provide an Orientation Class as part of the registration class to mitigate potential problems seen at other dog parks. Registration is the form and payment needed to use the park. Here is a copy of the Registration packet- which includes fees, waivers, rules etc. The fees are listed on page 19:
https://www.doylestownrec.com/documents/fddp_ap_packet_revised_final.pdf
Please read this post for step by step instructions and the current registration and orientation schedules from now through November:
http://doylestowndogpark.com/2012/10/18/latest-orientation-and-registration-schedule-and-upcoming-events/
Q: How can I join the Doylestown Dog Park?
A: To join, please fill out the registration form and bring proof of your Vaccination Records, Orientation Class Certificate, and proof of your PA Dog License and bring along with your payment to one of our registration days at the park or to the Doylestown Township Building. Please read this post for step by step instructions and the current registration and orientation schedules from now through November:
http://doylestowndogpark.com/2012/10/18/latest-orientation-and-registration-schedule-and-upcoming-events/
Q: How is the park funded?
A: 100% of the building funds were raised by Friends of the Doylestown Dog Park through cash and in-kind donations. Ongoing maintenance will be funded by annual registration fees.
Q: Who can use the dog park? Do I have to be a Doylestown Resident?
A: Anyone, regardless of where they live, can register to use the dog park. Doylestown Borough and Township residents will have a discounted registration fee.
Q: Can I write check for a donation?
A: Yes! Make checks to: Doylestown Borough with Dog Park in the memo section. Donations are tax deductible and can be mailed to Doylestown Borough Hall: 57 W. Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.
Q: Can I use a credit card for my donation?
A: Yes, you can make a credit card donation through our secure PayPal account. Go to
http://doylestowndogpark.com/donate/
and click on the PayPal option. Make sure to put “Doylestown Dog Park” in the “Purpose” field so it is directed to our restricted account at the Borough.
Q: Can I have an event at the dog park (fundraiser, dog birthday party, dog wedding, adoption day, training session, photography session, festival etc)
A: most likely, yes! We have a 1 acre Rotation Area for special events to help generate revenue for the dog park. The Doylestown Township Dog Park Advisory Board and Karen Sweeney (Township Dir of Parks and Rec) will have more info about this in the future, but in the meantime, here is a form you can use:
http://www.doylestownrec.com/forms/5355_special_event_ap_packet.pdf
or you can reach Karen at kasweeney@doylestownpa.org or (215) 348-9915
Q: What is the Dog Park Advisory Board and how can I serve on it?
A: The Advisory Board will assist the Township with park operations and will make recommendations regarding the park. If you want to have more say about the Doylestown Dog Park please consider volunteering with the newly formed Dog Park Advisory Board. To apply, submit a letter of interest and a resume to info@doylestownpa.org.
Q: How else can I get involved?
A: We would love your help and support! Please email us at doylestowndogpark@gmail.com with your contact information and your interest. You are also more than welcome to attend our monthly planning meetings: the first Wednesday of every month at Doylestown Borough Hall (57 W. Court St). We also have Fundraising, Publicity and Outreach, Design, Budget, and Rules subcommittee meetings. When you email us, we will put you in touch with a subcommittee chair so they can let you know how you can get involved and when their meetings are. Attending or volunteering at our upcoming fundraisers is also a great way to get involved!
Q: What is the dog park be like? How did you create the dog park budget and design?
A: The proposed Doylestown Dog Park will be 3 acres of off-leash fencedarea in Turk III, part of the Doylestown Township Turk Park system located on Almshouse Rd.
We will have 3 separate areas:
1/2 acre for small dogs,
11/2 acres for large dogs,
1 acre for rotation of the other two areas to preserve the turf and to be utilized for educational events, training, and agility.
The off leash areas will be ADA accessible. A hardscape walkway and lobby area are included in the plan. Adequate parking is available.
Amenities include: waste bags and covered containers for waste disposal, water fountains, benches, trees and shrubs for screening and shade, and an informational kiosk.
In presenting a budget we must include all costs whether they will be out of pocket or the value in-kind, donated costs. While the budget number appears high, we anticipate many of the services necessary to build the park will be donated, in fact some services have already been donated. This is a community park and we have had tremendous response and support from local businesses. Additionally, there are ample opportunities to contribute to the building fund by purchasing items for the park and naming opportunities.
Upon approval of the design, budget, fund raising plan and necessary soil surveys and plans, the dog park will be built. Originally, we had planned to build in 3 phases, but we learned during the design process that it is much more affordable to do things all at once (for instance, excavation for water and electricity at the same time) and other things need to be built in a certain order (for instance, we thought the pavilion could be put in last, but it needs to be build first when the concrete is laid).
It would appear putting a fence around a grass area would be an easy task. However, there is much more to it than just a fence. Of course we want to keep costs down, but having the opportunity to develop a new area, our goal is to make it as safe and pleasant as possible for its users. In doing this, health and safety are of utmost importance. The fencing is more involved than just a fence. For safety and longevity, commercial grade fencing, posts, rails and gates are used. Entrance and exit gates are positioned to provide safe passage to and from the off leash areas. Registration provides a means to ensure dogs utilizing the park are healthy, vaccinated, and licensed. It also ensures dog owners will be educated to its use and etiquette. An entry system will be installed to insure safety as well as monitor the use of the park. Electricity is needed on site for the entry system. Our budget includes a maintenance fund for the ongoing care of the off leash area so that taxpayers will not be burdened with future costs.
Providing resilient fencing, safe entry to and from the off leash areas, a source of water, shade and benches do increase the cost, but they will help to provide a means of recreation and socialization for our community, especially our four-legged friends and their owners, for future years.
We have selected a site that requires the least amount of soil disturbance, with a natural slope for drainage. However, fencing 3 acres of land and creating safe and durable access to the off leash areas requires planning and excavation. Please remember, our site is currently an open field, so we are literally starting from the ground up.
Through our monthly planning meetings that have been open to the public for the past 2 and 1/2 years and with cooperation and guidance from local municipalities, landscape architects, certified dog trainers, and experienced dog-park-visiting members, the FDDP has designed a safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing off leash area that we feel will serve the needs of our community for years to come. Although the budget amount appears high, with the support of community residents and businesses, the goal is achievable and the rewards will be priceless.
Thank you again to all of the families, individuals and businesses in Doylestown for all you do to help make the Doylestown Dog Park a reality!
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