Our Dog Park is Re-Opening June 17 at 10 AM to coincide with the Governor’s Phase 2 Re-Opening across the state.
We have really missed all our friends – 4- and 2-legged – and can’t wait to see all of you – at a safe distance – soon!
While having the park closed was painful, we made good use of the time by making some wonderful improvements. Hopefully, you have passed by to see how beautiful it looks.
• The old skating rink has been turned into a beautiful, green space for dogs.
• Thanks to some generous donors, we were able to install three beautiful mature shade trees and seven fantastic benches.
• The walkway from the parking lot has been completed, and we created an accessible entryway leading to an accessible bench.
Staying Safe
We will need to count on each of you to ensure that all appropriate safety protocols are followed so that we can remain open and stay healthy:
According to the Town of Woodbridge, the dog park would fall under the following State regulations:
• Social distancing – 6 feet apart. Dogs can get as close as they want once inside the play areas.
• Masks/facial coverings for all two-legged friends
• Occupancy Limit – 25 people. And as always, a maximum of two dogs per person.
Please be mindful of the standard dog park rules of use which are more important than ever now. Pay particular attention to the ones that ensure we can keep 6’ apart:
• Only one dog family in the foyer at a time
• Dogs must be unleashed inside the play areas
• Entering: Unleash your dog in the foyer – quickly – and then open the gate into the play area
• Departing: don’t put the leash back on your dog until you are departing, then do so quickly.
• Don’t allow your dog to crowd the gate when dogs are trying to enter. This makes the newcomers – dogs and humans – nervous and can cause problems. Sometimes this crowd of dogs rushes into the foyer – which can lead to aggressive behavior or dog escapes. You will be called on to pull your dog away – which will mean lots of dogs and humans bunched together
• Be sure to firmly close gates.
• Remember: all dogs must be on leash on the Fitzgerald Property so do not let your dog run from your car to the dog park off-leash.
• The Town has mandated that during the pandemic dogs must also be kept 6’ apart – outside the dog park.
Because gates and our new benches – as well as balls and other toys – will be touched by many, please bring wipes or hand sanitizer. We will be closely watched for compliance with these rules so please be considerate to help ensure the park can remain open and safe for all.
Our two considerations for re-opening were: safety and money and we need your help with both.
Safety of course is crucial and takes a team effort and mutual consideration to keep us all safe. But money is also a concern as this dog park was created and must be maintained by volunteers – like you. The Town did not build the dog park, nor do they maintain it.
A small group of volunteers raised over $65,000 in less than a year to build the dog park and get it opened in December. We knew we wanted to add trees, benches, landscaping, improve accessibility, so we planned a second fundraising campaign beginning in March, with our big event on June 6. Because of the pandemic, none of that happened and at this point, we’re running out of money for essential maintenance/management of the park: mowing and clean-up, insurance and State fees, poop bags and trash removal, fundraising/marketing/website maintenance.
100% of donations go towards building the park and providing amenities and safety features. Membership dues are needed to cover administrative costs and maintenance. There are no paid staff.