The Upper Valley Dog Park Supporters (UVDPS) are asking for your help to support the dog park at Watson Park in Hartford, VT. Dog parks in other communities have been significant assets – both to park users and the community at large. They offer a safe area for dog owners to enjoy recreation and exercise with their pets as well as a great place to meet others in the community. The park is open for people and dogs throughout the Upper Valley to enjoy.
The park is about 1½ acres, securely fenced to allow off-leash recreation with dogs and currently has double-gated entries for safety as well as waste disposal bags and containers.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, about one third of America’s households include one or more dogs. In Hartford, Hanover and Lebanon alone there are more than 3000 licensed dogs. Dog parks have become increasing popular, and there are now more than 2000 dog parks in the US.
With the Town of Hartford’s approval and our volunteer program status, we (the UVDPS) are responsible for raising all funds for park construction, and annual maintenance. Having raised over $40,000, we have completed Phase I, site preparation and parking lot expansion, as well as Phase II, fencing (installed by volunteers). The park is now open for use, as of June 7, 08, but we still need your help to add amenities such as benches, tables, and water and to ensure ongoing maintenance of the park.
Our members currently take care of some park maintenance – trimming, picking up waste, and doing small repairs – but we need continuing funds for big jobs like mowing, hauling away waste, occasional major repairs as a result of storms, etc. We are grateful for donations large and small, and can accept checks – or, if you visit the park regularly, just drop a little cash in the donation box. Another way to help is to join the Upper Valley Dog Park Supporters Club and participate both in park maintenance, decisions and events we hope to hold in the future.
We hope that you will help us maintain this worthwhile amenity for residents of Hartford and all Upper Valley communities.
Make checks Town of Hartford/Dog Park
payable to:
UVDP Supporters
Mail to: P.O. Box 671 Hartford, VT 05047
Location: 1 mile west of Hartford Town Hall on Rte 14w, in Watson Memorial Park
All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
For information contact: Leslie Carney , Patsy Schneider or website www.watsondogpark.org