Bark Park Organizing Meeting Notes
Sun June 11, 2023 - 2pm at Derrick’s House
Attendees: Hillarie, Vicky, Craig, Derrick, Leian, Dan, Sager, Ben, Doorae
Background
- Derrick wants to see community at the park and thinks that will lead to much more donation
- Doorae has been coming since 2 years ago and wants to see more organization & structure
- Ben has been going to park since 2012; remembers when park used to be a gravel pit; hoping to see less reliance on Clark and helpful handing over leadership to community; is an attorney
- Sager has been coming to park for under a decade - would love for it to stay open in perpetuity without volatility and worry of closure; is an attorney by trade
- Dan dog park made his dog less aggressive
- Craig Bull terrier named Kala; go 4x/week - would like to see better maintenance and would like to not break anything in holes; would like less mud and sprinkler not in mid-day; happy to donate but do not want it to go into a black hole
- Vicky Lulu & Nugget - 1.5 yrs - love the park and appreciate Clark. Want there to be a prioritization of safety; stairs/gates can be tough; curious about ADA requirements; its good socialization for dogs AND humans
- Hillarie - has been coming since first year it was open; helped put together gravel, grass, etc; has historical memory and volunteers a lot; has seen the joy and the learning curve of the park
General Discussion
There is a perception that this is a free public park that doesn’t require support
Organizational Needs:
- Board: Clark offered Hillarie to be on board; Sager & Ben have also been floated as an additional member for the board. Need to do the paperwork
- Communications:
- Signage: Bulletin Board: $300-400 to fix it all – Derrick is paying for and leading. Derrick, Doorae, Ben finalize verbiage and run past the group. Half the sign is statement about the park (history & donation ask), Other half of the sign is how to donate. Smaller sign / handout. Give folks something physical - half or quarter page
- Donations / Revenue: PayPal - Only 71 people gave money
- Bank: Need access - make an authorized user. Check system
- Other Ideas: Professional trainers rental system
- Membership Idea: Dog Park Grants. Sager & Dan can start the list.
- Corporate Sponsors: Think through potential DLNR or other restrictions. We need a budget that captures all expenses and revenue needs. People need to be acknowledged for their donations.
- Media
- Website: Use this to promote volunteers
- Bing & Google: Craig "owns" the listings and went through the reviews
- Email List
- Social Media: Facebook - Someone else manages this. Facebook Group. Try to get it back or start a new one. Instagram would be great if we can have someone manage
Ideas
- Park Event
- 25th Anniversary – September or October
- Announcements
- Cleanup
- Fundraiser
Other Volunteers:
Wes - repairs (made the bulletin board)
Treasurer - This person should make budget, track income/expenses, monitor PayPal and email people back
Action Items:
- Creating a budget (Doorae can draft)
- Hillarie working on board organization paperwork
- Sager & Dan working on grant list and priorities/deadline
- Derrick working on signage
- Doorae look into making a Facebook Group
- Craig try to re-gain Facebook page access
Maintenance
Next meeting
Sunday June 25 @ 2-3:30pm
