Graham Dog Park

To: Chairman of Recreation and Parks of Graham, Jay Cook
City of Graham Recreation and Parks

This petition signed by the undersigned constituents, is directed to Chairman of Recreation and Parks of Graham, Jay Cook ,and other interested City Officials. Its goal is to support the designation and construction of an enclosed dog park in the City of Graham. We, the constituents of Alamance County, respectfully urge you to authorize funding required to establish an "off leash" dog park to be created in the City of Graham.
In creating a dog park, we hope to accomplish multiple goals:

1. To establish a fenced in, off-leash dog park where well-behaved canine can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property, or wildlife.

2. To develop a beautiful, well-maintained space, open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park's rules and restrictions.

3. To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the City of Graham, designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike.

We request the City of Graham to authorize adequate funding to provide appropriate fencing, including a double gated entry to prevent dogs from bolting, water availability, garbage cans, bag stations, and gates. The design of the park will house two separate fenced in sections within one large cordon off location. One section would be utilized for large/medium dogs and the other for small and shy dogs. Unfortunately, no off-leash dog parks currently exist in the vicinity of the city of Graham. Just as other taxpayers enjoy convenient public swimming pools, jogging trails, golf courses, and playgrounds, dog owners need a place to exercise and enjoy their pets in an off-leash environment. Further, such a park will benefit the greater community in the following ways.

1) Most dogs require exercise that leashes restrictions do not permit. The cardiovascular benefit provided by healthy play with other dogs is great for dogs longevity and weight control. Dogs are social animals whose mental health is improved by interaction with other canines. Happy, healthy dogs are calmer and better behaved, reducing nuisance barking and other annoying behaviors exhibited by unexercised canines.

2) Such a facility would increase general park utilization and build bonds within the human community.

3) Dog park patrons tend to be people who appreciate the park and take an "ownership interest" in it. As a result, they keep the area free of criminal activities and other bad elements.

4) Park patrons want to ensure a clean park for all the dogs attending. Feces pick-up and disposal is an integral part of retaining a clean park. A visit to any dog park will verify this observation. Owners watch for and pick up their animals feces, and when a dog defecates, other patrons assume that the dog owner simply did not notice and gently remind the owner to pick up the feces and throw it away.

5) Those who care enough to attend dog parks are usually registered voters, educated, somewhat affluent people, very attractive to local businesses. Such citizens attract others like themselves to live in the area, continuing the trend to increase revenues to local business and to the tax base.

6) Once the off-leash park is constructed, a core group of community activists including the creators of this petition do commit ourselves to its continued maintenance (e.g. organized, periodic, cleanup efforts).

This petition was written by Margaret Vaughn.
Again, we would appreciate your consideration in constructing an enclosed off-leash dog park in the City of Graham.