Dog Grounds
P.O. Box 50459
Minneapolis, MN 55405
doggrounds@gmail.com
Dog Grounds' mission is to work in cooperation with residents, neighborhood groups, city government and private businesses to develop, administer and maintain three new off-leash play areas for dogs in Downtown Minneapolis
Many people and organizations have contributed to Dog Grounds' efforts. The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and Schafer-Richardson have donated property; the North Loop Neighborhood Association has dedicated $35,000 of Phase 1 NRP funds; members of Minneapolis Animal Care & Control have attended events and licensed dogs; Laurel Village hosted an experimental "Yappy Hour" on their private property; and many more.
The following is a list of individuals and businesses that have made financial contributions to Dog Grounds:
Best in Show ($500 and over):
North Loop Neighborhood Association
Village Green
Fine Associates
Mark Dayton
John & Sage Cowles
Perry Ketchum
Patricia Bloodgood
Top Dog ($100-$499):
- Dunbar Development Company
Good Dog (under $100):
The mission of Dog Grounds is to work in cooperation with residents, neighborhood organizations, city government, and private businesses to spearhead the development of off-leash play areas for dogs in the Loring, Elliot Park, and North Loop neighborhoods of Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Once the off-leash play areas are built, Dog Grounds will continue to work with and assist the neighborhood dog owner groups with fundraising, maintaing the off-leash areas and increasing public awareness of the benefits of neighborhood off-leash play areas for dogs.
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board's Planning Committee recommended Full Board Approval of the Dog Grounds project in Loring Park on January 17th by unanimous vote. They amended the park's Master Plan to allow for an off-leash dog area, instructed their staff to draft a 10-year operational agreement, and sent the issue to the Full Board where it passed on February 7th. It was Dog Grounds' second attempt at gaining support for the project with Planning Committee members. The proposal had been denied on December 6th, but a flawless presentation by Council Member Lisa Goodman helped secure the approval.
Our next steps will be to finalize the site plan, submit them for final approval, FUNDRAISE, get bids for the construction work, build the play area, and enjoy our efforts.
Congratulations to everyone who attended the meeting, sent emails, voice mails, and letters in support of the project. Thank you for all of your time, energy and contributions!
In the spring of 2006, dog owners living in Downtown Minneapolis came together to increase the amount of convenient opportunities for their dogs to exercise and socialize together off-leash, an activity that promotes healthy, well-behaved dogs. The four existing dog parks in Minneapolis, owned and operated by the Park & Recreation Board, were inconvenient for the urban dwellers and their canine companions who are the ones that need them the most because open space is limited and intensively used. As a result, otherwise responsible dog owners did most of their walking along the sidewalks leaving a coat of urine and feces residue on our streets, boulevards and parks, which presents a health hazard, as well as aesthetic issues.
After investigating the problem, talking to constituents and researching best practicies in other cities around the country, the project was spearheaded by Council Member Lisa Goodman. Initially, the project was envisioned as a public-private partnership, but it quickly became clear that a legal entity was needed, so "Dog Grounds", the not profit organization, was created. Members of the community were recruited and elected to the newly-formed Board of Directors, and work began on the first three dog play areas.
Progress:
