Casa Pepe wrap up (long)
It was a success. We had 18 attendees with 13 willing to start an Owl's Head Dog Run Association. The remaining five were Significant Others or non-dog owners.
Bernadette Hoban from Friends & Neighbors of Owl's Head Park was a star. We couldn't have gotten nearly as much accomplished without her. I want to thank her again for her help. I think she might have been expecting a more organized group than the puppydogs we are but she took charge and got us moving in a coherent direction.
Here's what we learned.
The Owl's Head dog run is recognized by the Parks Dept. We're not the bandit operation we feared we might be. Urban legends notwithstanding, Bernadette is the one who officially won approval for the dog run back in 2000 when she brought it before the Community Board and got its provisional approval. After six months' probation, we became a permanent dog run.
Regarding the crumbling fence, the Parks Dept actually owes us one. After the dog run passed its probation, Parks was supposed to erect a permanent fence. This was never done. However it's not as simple as just griping to Parks about our prodigal fence. We have more to do first and, besides, Parks won't talk to us anyway.
The issue of the permanent fence notwithstanding, the Parks Dept did its bit. It gave us an area for use as a dog run. That's all they're going to do. There may be dispute over who actually owns that land (DOT or Parks) but as far as Parks is concerned the dog run belongs to them and we play by Parks' rules.
The rest is up to us. What both Parks and the CB want to see from us before proceeding is an organization willing to accept responsibility for maintaining and policing the run. They want an entity they can contact and one that can appear in official proceedings to represent the dog run. It doesn't have to represent the consensus of all dog run users nor does it have to be an incorporated 501(c)3. A few interested citizens who have a demonstrated commitment to the dog run is all they care about.
That's the next step. Provisionally, we've created the Owl's Head Dog Owner's Association and asked Bethann Olsen (Oslo) to act as the group spokesperson/president, Ana Marie Bonn (Cosmo) to be treasurer and I'll be the IT/Karl Rove/go-to guy. It's not carved in stone but that's what we've decided for the time being. Unless there are objections, that's how we'll proceed. Bernadette joined our little organization as an advisor.
Bernadette said we needed a bank to start and primed the kitty by tossing in twenty bucks. By the end of the evening we had collected around $380. Ana Marie has the final tally. The bank is important because it demonstrates to The Powers that we have the commitment and the means to maintain the dog run.
The next step is figuring out what we want to do. This is where things could get contentious. There are two options.
The first is to remain where we are and where we'll continue to annoy the co-op. The other is to relocate the dog run to another part of the park where it's not annoying anyone. One possibility is the unused grassy area next to the Millenium Skateboard Park. Besides not being visible (or audible) to residents, it's closer to water, it's wider than the current dog run (albeit shallower), flatter and there's an extra fence to protect it from the road. It's also less windy.
Tomorrow we'll do a site check to see if it's compatible. If it is and Parks approves of it, this would earn us major points with the community board. Why? Because among the co-oppers we're currently annoying are several prominent and powerful activists on the community board. Its a concession that would win us concessions. If we stay where we are the complaints won't go away and there's a good chance we could eventually lose the dog run altogether. They don't have to close the dog run; they could just move it to another park.
Either way, the next step is going to the Community Board to request that Parks install the fence we're supposed to have. That's why it's important for us to decide where we want to stay. Parks will only do this once. Bernadette offered to go with us but we'll have to plead the case.
Our chances with the CB will be affected by the negatives against us. Obviously, we have several negatives working against us now, including the fact that up till now no one has taken responsibility for the dog run. A viable user organization, a bank roll and a demonstrated willingness to work with the neighborhood would turn them into positives.
Put simply, we don't talk to Parks. We talk to the CB and the CB talks to Parks. But we can't talk to the CB without an organization. If the CB likes us, it will do nice things for us. If it doesn't we're dead in the water.
There's more but this post is long enough.
Thanks to everyone who
Thanks to everyone who attended the first meeting, and thank you for posting the wrap-up and minutes.
Meeting minutes
Just wanted to say thank you Sakura for taking such great minutes, you gave a great look at what was discussed (I think you might have a permanent job now:)
Also wanted to say thank you to Steve for always keeping us up to date.
Thanks, Sakura
As I suspected I would, I forgot several of the things we spoke about so it was great that you made notes and posted them.
Alternate dog run site
This morning, Bethann, Ana Marie, John and I inspected the site next to the Millenium Skateboard Park as a possible alternative site for the dog run.
While we're not stuck on the idea of moving the dog run, we need to consider the political realities and liabilities of remaining at the current site. Bernadette put it succinctly: a dog run isn't what people with half-million dollar co-ops want to see and hear out their living room windows. The complaints against the dog run aren't going to go away no matter what we do. It's not just about a single barking dog in the 8am group. Dog runs ARE noisy. Dog runs ARE NOT attractive. That's just a fact. Moving the dog run wouldn't just make those complaints go away; it would win us allies in that co-op who are also influential with the Community Board.
The site next to the skate park is almost perfect for a dog run. Here's a Google Satellite Photo of the area, immediately to the left of the Millenium Skateboard Park.
- It's on Parks, not DOT, property so there's no chance that DOT could reclaim the land as it could with the current dog run.
- It's isolated from the Park so nobody uses it.
- The nearest residential building is over 500 feet away and there's a noisy skateboard park between it and this site.
- It's much closer to water (at the basketball courts).
- While shallower than than the current dog run it's wider, which is better for running dogs.
- It's flatter than the current dog run.
- There's a chain link fence between the road and the park, so that even if a dog should get out of the run it couldn't get hit by a car.
- It's got a northern exposure and its southern exposure is blocked by a steep hill and large trees so it would be much cooler in the summer and less windy in the winter.
- For those who drive to the dog run, Wakeman Place is a lot easier for parking than 68th Street.
- Bored dog runners could pick up a little extra cash running a pool on when the next ambulance will visit the skate park.
The reason we need to investigate this now is because Parks owes us a new fence. But they're not going to build it twice. So moving the site needs to be on the table when we go to the CB about having Parks install it.
Everyone was happy with this site as a potential new location for the dog run. When you get a chance, check it out and let us know your opinion.
Meeting Minutes
It was really great seeing and meeting everyone last night. What follows are the minutes of our meeting. I hope I have accurately noted everyone's issues with the dog run; my apologies if the summary below does not reflect your points.
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Minutes of the Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007
Owls Head Dog Owners Association Meeting
Held at Casa Pepe Restaurant, Bay Ridge
Bethann welcomed everyone to the first formal gathering of Owls Head Dog Owners Association (OHDOA). At Bernadette’s suggestion, we went around the table to introduce ourselves and raise our individual concerns about the dog run.
Bethann (Oslow): Of primary concern is the fence. It would be possible for Oslow to jump over it and run into traffic. Also, the look and appearance of the dog run.
John (Oslow): Suggested proposing a community service program through Sevarian School wherein students could fulfill their community service requirement by helping to clean-up the dog run.
As an aside, Bernadette suggested creating OHDOA letterhead which could be used to document the hours of completed community service.
Sakura (Sammy Sanchez and Lola): The fence is the main issue, as the larger dog could easily jump over it into oncoming traffic.
Henry (Bentley): The slope of the dog run can be difficult to maneuver. The rustic look of snow fences is preferable.
Steven (owner of a Shepherd mix): The fence is too flimsy.
Ana Marie (Cosmo): The fence is of concern, as well as the mud and woodchips.
John (Lady): Would like to make the dog run better overall, and improve its surface.
Steve (Auggie and Jack): The rotting fence is of concern, as well as the woodchips. Also of importance is getting everyone organized to work together towards a common goal.
Julie (Memphis and Ouzo): The fence is of primary concern.
Karen (Owner of 5 dogs): The hill can be problematic. The fence is also an issue.
Carol (with Bob, owners of Brooklyn): The fence is of great concern because dogs can jump over it.
Rhonda (with Sam, owners of Nicky): Attending on behalf of husband Sam and to support the dog run.
Joy (Friend of the Dog Run): Owns three cats, but loves dogs, too, and wants to support our efforts.
James (Memphis and Ouzo): The fence is of primary concern.
Other suggestions came out of our discussion that are worth mentioning:
• The fence (which was identified as the No. 1 concern of the group) and the noise complaints are separate but related issues. If the dog run moves to a new location, both matters would be resolved.
• Create a list of rules and regulations for the dog run before approaching the community board.
• Come up with fundraising ideas.
• Remove the old chairs, and consider purchasing a picnic table or bench to replace them.
• View the community board as a partner, not as an adversary.
• Don’t allow the website (www.bayridgebarks.org) to become a rumor mill.
Bernadette recommended the following next steps:
1. Draft a list of members of the OHDOA.
2. Collect funds (to have as a resource, and/or to go towards improvements).
3. Draft a letter to the community board stating our objectives to improve the dog run, the actions we have taken to meet these goals, and our proposals (once they have been decided).
4. Request a site visit by the community board.
Bethann was asked to take the role of OHDOA president, and Ana Marie was asked to serve as treasurer. Donations were collected by everyone to help get the OHDOA fund started.
We ordered another round of drinks and dinner arrived.