Thanks for the notes. I had the best of intentions to attend the
meeting but got sidetracked by illness. I will be there for the
cleanup day if possible. I would like to ask you, or someone who may
know, why we can't have or some kind of barriers at both of the wide
gaps in the fence along the creek? While my dog loves to swim, I am
not always in the mood for climbing up and down the rocks. He
recently followed another dog not only into the creek, which is not
that much of a problem, but over and up the other side, which scared
the hell out of me. It took quite a few terrifying minutes to round
him up before he ran into the traffic!

I hate to quit bringing him to the park because he loves being off
lead, but I also am worried that he will get to the water when I
don't want him to. Are there any plans to fill in the fence gaps in
the near future?

Ginny Stubbs

--- In theshirlingtondogsII@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Fred"
<flamingophoto@...> wrote:
>
>  Thank you to all those who attended the Shirlington CCA (dog
park) meeting last
> week.  Here are some notes from the meeting and information on the
clean up day.
> Thanks to Bob Upton from the County Parks Dept, who was kind enough
to arrange the
> meeting space for us.
> Several attendees indicated they would help with day-to-day upkeep
of the park including
> putting out bags, moving the trash receptacle from inside the park
to the entrance area in
> the evening so the county can empty it and moving it back to inside
the park once it has
> been emptied in the morning, and maintaining the bulletin board.
> Each Community Canine Area (CCA) must have an active sponsoring
group.  For the
> Shirlington CCA it is "Shirlington Dogs II".  It is our
responsibility to keep the park clean
> and adhere to the rules for CCAs.  Copies of the rules were handed
out to everyone.  They
> are located on our group site under "Files" on the left.  They are
also posted on the
> bulletin board in the park with copies to take as well.
> Highlighted most critical ones:
> • Everyone is responsible for picking up their dog's waste using
plastic bags and
> disposing properly in the large black receptacles.  DO NOT place in
the green mailboxes.
> Those are for clean bags only.
> • Keep your dogs in sight at all times.  A lot of dog waste is not
being picked up because
> handlers are not watching their dogs.  It is okay and encouraged to
point out to someone
> who has not picked up after their dog.
> • Aggressive dogs are not allowed in the CCAs.  If a dog is posing
a threat to humans or
> other animals it must be removed from the park.
> • Report any dog bites as soon as possible to Animal Control, 703-
931-9241.
> This and other important phone numbers are posted on the bulletin
board.
> A few months ago a number of dogs coming in contact with the stream
were getting sick
> from a parasite called Giardia.  This occurs naturally in streams
and the County
> Environmental Services does not test for it.  It is usually spread
by fecal matter so another
> important reason to pick up after your dog.
> I had applied for a county Park Enhancement Grant to have a
drainage trench put in were
> the water spigot is to prevent standing water and muddy conditions
in that area of the
> park and to fix the low area of the path where water collects after
it rains and turns to
> mud.  This was approved by the county and hopefully work will get
started by end of
> summer.
> The spigot is there to provide drinking water for the dogs.  Please
turn spigot off
> immediately so as not to cause flooding in the area and to not
waste water.  Bathing and
> grooming dogs is not allowed in the park
> We will be having a Clean Up Day on Saturday May 19 starting at
11:00.  We will pick up
> any trash in the park, sweep the path, clean the area around the
bulletin board and spigot.
> Please bring work gloves and if you can, some strong trash bags.
If you have a heavy duty
> push broom you can bring that would helpful as well.  Hope to see
you there.
> But you don't have to wait until the 19th, if you see any trash
when you're at the park with
> Fido, please feel free to pick it up.
> Keith Fred
>

Thank you to all those who attended the Shirlington CCA (dog park) meeting last
week.  Here are some notes from the meeting and information on the clean up day.
Thanks to Bob Upton from the County Parks Dept, who was kind enough to arrange
the
meeting space for us.
Several attendees indicated they would help with day-to-day upkeep of the park
including
putting out bags, moving the trash receptacle from inside the park to the
entrance area in
the evening so the county can empty it and moving it back to inside the park
once it has
been emptied in the morning, and maintaining the bulletin board.
Each Community Canine Area (CCA) must have an active sponsoring group.  For the
Shirlington CCA it is "Shirlington Dogs II".  It is our responsibility to keep
the park clean
and adhere to the rules for CCAs.  Copies of the rules were handed out to
everyone.  They
are located on our group site under "Files" on the left.  They are also posted
on the
bulletin board in the park with copies to take as well.
Highlighted most critical ones:
• Everyone is responsible for picking up their dog's waste using plastic bags
and
disposing properly in the large black receptacles.  DO NOT place in the green
mailboxes.
Those are for clean bags only.
• Keep your dogs in sight at all times.  A lot of dog waste is not being picked
up because
handlers are not watching their dogs.  It is okay and encouraged to point out to
someone
who has not picked up after their dog.
• Aggressive dogs are not allowed in the CCAs.  If a dog is posing a threat to
humans or
other animals it must be removed from the park.
• Report any dog bites as soon as possible to Animal Control, 703-931-9241.
This and other important phone numbers are posted on the bulletin board.
A few months ago a number of dogs coming in contact with the stream were getting
sick
from a parasite called Giardia.  This occurs naturally in streams and the County
Environmental Services does not test for it.  It is usually spread by fecal
matter so another
important reason to pick up after your dog.
I had applied for a county Park Enhancement Grant to have a drainage trench put
in were
the water spigot is to prevent standing water and muddy conditions in that area
of the
park and to fix the low area of the path where water collects after it rains and
turns to
mud.  This was approved by the county and hopefully work will get started by end
of
summer.
The spigot is there to provide drinking water for the dogs.  Please turn spigot
off
immediately so as not to cause flooding in the area and to not waste water. 
Bathing and
grooming dogs is not allowed in the park
We will be having a Clean Up Day on Saturday May 19 starting at 11:00.  We will
pick up
any trash in the park, sweep the path, clean the area around the bulletin board
and spigot.
Please bring work gloves and if you can, some strong trash bags.  If you have a
heavy duty
push broom you can bring that would helpful as well.  Hope to see you there.
But you don't have to wait until the 19th, if you see any trash when you're at
the park with
Fido, please feel free to pick it up.
Keith Fred

You can get your dog inoculated against Giardia.  Talk with your vet
about this.  My dog is always eating mulch.  Plus with the water
turned off at most dog parks in Arlington and park users bring water
to Ft. Barnard Dog Park up on Walter Reed Dr.  However, the bowls
don't get rinsed out at all and Giardi has gone around that park
recently.

I recently started my coonhound Jaleo on Giardi  preventive care.
The first round is one injection followed by a second booster 3 weeks
later.  Then after that, once a year.

Best of luck,

Margo t t Weltin


At 5:09 PM +0000 1/18/07, agrasman wrote:
>I recently started going to the Shirlington Dog Park. I have 2 dogs
>who love to run and play in the water. A few weeks ago they both
>began to get sick. I took them to the vet and they both contracted
>giardia from the stream water in Shirlington Park. They did not have
>access to any other water besides at the Park. The vet told me it is
>not the first case she has seen from the Shirlington Park.
>
>I wanted warn other dogs owners of this problem and also propose that
>there be action taken to protect our dogs.
>
>I contacted the county and made them aware of this problem.
>
>Any suggestions regarding what to do? I know the water is a real
>asset to the park, but maybe we could post a sign or request a fence
>with a gate to allow the owners to choose to let their dogs down
>there instead of letting the dogs free access. I know my dogs get so
>excited that the first thing they do is run to the water. Although
>they come out when called, they love that initial sprint to the
>river. I have resorted to going to a park that is farther away from
>my house and much smaller.
>
>Any comments?

I recently started going to the Shirlington Dog Park.  I have 2 dogs
who love to run and play in the water. A few weeks ago they both
began to get sick.  I took them to the vet and they both contracted
giardia from the stream water in Shirlington Park. They did not have
access to any other water besides at the Park.  The vet told me it is
not the first case she has seen from the Shirlington Park.

I wanted warn other dogs owners of this problem and also propose that
there be action taken to protect our dogs.

I contacted the county and made them aware of this problem.

Any suggestions regarding what to do? I know the water is a real
asset to the park, but maybe we could post a sign or request a fence
with a gate to allow the owners to choose to let their dogs down
there instead of letting the dogs free access. I know my dogs get so
excited that the first thing they do is run to the water. Although
they come out when called, they love that initial sprint to the
river. I have resorted to going to a park that is farther away from
my house and much smaller.

Any comments?

I am a moderator of this site and I have been the liaison between Shirlington
Dog Park
(CCA) users and Howard Hudgins of Arlington County Parks Department for over the
past
year.  I'm at the park at least 2 to 3 times daily with my yellow lab mixed
named Daphne.
You most likely have been greeted by her at some point.  If you have been to the
park
recently you must have noticed that we are getting greater numbers of visitors. 
While the
majority of the visitors are considerate of others and follow the rules and
regulations for
the CCA as set by the county there are unfortunately those who don't pick up
after their
dog, do not keep them in sight, and do not take appropriate action if their dog
is
aggressive towards other dogs or people.  I have requested to the county that
the Park
Rangers come through the park periodically particularly on busy days.  They will
be there
to reiterate the importance of everyone adhering to the CCA rules.  If you see
someone not
picking up after their dog don't hesitate to politely bring it to their
attention.  The same
holds true for dogs that are too aggressive.  I have posted a copy of the rules
on the
bulletin board in the park and there are handouts to take on the side nearest
the shed.
Phone numbers to call in case of problems are posted on the board as well.  It
is
everyone's responsibilty to make the Shirlington CCA a safe and enjoyable place
to visit.
Keith

Now that warmer and longer days are here we are getting more and more visitors
to the
Shirlington Canine Community Area, (CCA).  You can help to keep the park clean
by
reminding others it is their responsibility to clean up after their dogs.  Also
if you see trash
on the ground take a few seconds and pick it up.  Please do not bathe your dog
in the
park.  The water spigot is there to provide drinking water for the dogs only. 
Grooming
dogs is against the county rules for the CCAs plus it creates quite a mess.  By
keeping the
park as clean as possible it will help to ensure the county keeps the park open.
Thanks.

Please find attached the County's rules and regulations for Community Canine
Areas
(CCA).  A pdf version is under "Files" at left.  Please take a moment to read
and when at the
park inform other park users of them if you think they may not be familiar. 
Thanks.


Arlington County Community Canine Area Rules and Regulations

• All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated before entering the Community Canine
Area
(CCA).
• No dogs less than four (4) months of age shall be permitted in a CCA.
• Female dogs in heat shall not be allowed in the CCA at any time.
• Handlers are responsible for the removal and disposal of dog waste from the
CCA and
disposing of it in a
proper manner.
• Dog owners shall remain with their dog(s) and be in view of their animal(s) at
all times.
• Dogs shall be removed at the first sign of aggression. Aggressive dogs shall
not be
permitted within any
designated off-leash CCA. "Aggressive dog" is defined as a dog(s) posing a
threat to
human beings or other
animals. Handlers are legally responsible for their dog(s) and any injury caused
by them.
• No food is allowed within boundaries of a CCA.
• No one (1) handler may bring in more than three (3) dogs at a time.
• Professional dog trainers may not use any CCA for the conduct of their
business, unless
sponsored by Arlington
County.
• Animals must be leashed when entering and exiting the CCA.
• Handlers must be in possession of leash at all times.
• Handlers shall not allow their dogs to bark on a continuous or frequent basis.
It is
unlawful for any person who owns,
possesses or harbors a dog to permit that dog to create a frequent or continued
noise
disturbance across a real
property boundary or within a nearby dwelling unit. (County Code).
• Handlers, prior to leaving the CCA, shall fill holes dug by dogs.
• Dog grooming shall not be allowed in any CCA, unless it is part of an
Arlington County
sponsored program.
• Parents must be in control of their children at all times.
• Violations of the leash law, pooper scooper law and running at large law can
result in a
summons to appear in court
and a fine of $100.00.
• Both rabies vaccinations tags and County Dog License tags are required to be
secured on
your dog's collar at all
times.
• Any animal violations or animal bites should be reported immediately to the
Department
of Animal Control
located at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington at 2650 South Arlington Mill
Drive,
Arlington Virginia 22206
703-931- 9241.
Arlington County Community Canine Area Rules and Regulations

To avoid getting a ticket when visiting the Shirlington CCA please make note of
the
signage and the time limits for that particular parking space.  The spaces
facing the trail
have a two hour limit after 3:00PM.  Spaces along Nelson have different time
limits
according to the day of the week.  The time limits are to prevent all day
parking so to free
up more spaces for park users.  Please be aware of the No Parking Anytime signs.
Those
areas along the trail so marked are to allow access to the trail and parks.  If
you have been
ticketed and did not exceed the designated time limits by all means contest the
ticket as
instructed and let me know so we can keep track.  Also if you notice a vehicle,
especially
commercial vehicles, that have been parked past the time limits please make a
note as
well along with the license plate number.
To free up more spaces for park users I propose to suggest to the county to make
the
spaces facing the trail have a two hour limit all day.  Also I'd question the
need to have the
two handicap spaces at the far end since there is one near the gate to the CCA. 
Please let
me know your feelings on this.
Keith Fred
flamingophoto@...

The Park Rangers are aware that we sometimes have overnighters at the Park.
They have been
patrolling periodically but as you can imagine it is impossible to keep people
out completely.
As we discussed at the last meeting the best thing to do for your safety is
try to avoid
confrontations and if you see anyone acting in a threatening way call the
police at (703) 558
-2222. If asked, the Shirlington Community Canine Area (CCA) or dog park is
located 2700
block South Oakland off of Four Mile Run at South Arlington Mill Drive.  In an
emergency call
911 of course.
Keith

Thank you to those who attended the Shirlington Dogs meeting Thursday evening
and
sorry to everyone who couldn't make it.  It was very imformative and I'll try to
give some
highlights.  Howard Hudgins from Arlington County who is responsible for all the
Community Canine Areas (CCAs) was able to attend to answer our questions and
give us
status reports on some ongoing projects.
I pointed out that we are all stakeholders in the Park and everyone is
responsible for
following the basic rules and regulations that the county has established for
all the CCAs.
A copy of these is under Files.  As summer is here and more and more people are
using
the Park, many for the first time, it is essential that everyone make an effort
to keeping the
Park clean and safe.  If you notice someone not picking up after their dog a
friendly
reminder that this is required is usually enough for them to comply.  It is
important to
have your dogs in sight at all times not only to be able to clean up after them
but for their
safety as well.
A sign has been posted on the fence next to the water spigot showing how to turn
it on
and off.  PLEASE make sure the water is turned off completely.  Sometimes you
have to
push the handle to the side a bit to get the holes in the handle and the base to
line up to
shut it off.  If you could do a quick check when you enter and leave that the
water is
turned off, this will prevent unnecessary flooding.  Also the buckets should not
be left with
standing water for any extended time as this will add to mosquito breeding.
The next community clean up day and social at the Park is scheduled for Sunday
June 26,
1-3PM.  More info on this will be posted later.
Also updated info on Puppy Parties will be posted later as well.  Puppies and
small dogs
have priority to the enclosed area behind the bulletin board but if none are
present you
may bring your larger dog into the area.
The area that we seeded and fenced off is coming along, but we will wait a
couple more
months at least to make sure the grass is established before taking down the
fence to see
how it holds up to traffic.  If it does than with the county we will plan on
seeding other
areas.
If you have particular questions or problems you may email me or catch me at the
Park.
Keith
flamingophoto@...

ALL:

This Saturday will be the first puppy party of the new year.
For those of you who are not sure what a puppy party is, please
follow the link.

http://www.arlingtondogs.org/puppies.shtml
http://www.arlingtondogs.org/parks_shirlington.shtml

Rules:

* your puppy must be no younger than 4 months old
* please bring proof of your puppy's shots to your first party
* party is from 9-11am

Hope to see you there!

Ed

Thank you for putting this all together!

A question:  what's the reason for putting the trash receptacles within the
gated entry?

I find I'm rarely near the entries when I have a bag to throw away.

And when the weather gets hot, I avoid the trash cans as much as possible. 
Having them
in the gated entries is going to make for "odiferous" first and last
impressions!

Craig (and Sheila)


--- In theshirlingtondogsII@yahoogroups.com, "Nancy" <mazlow_me@y...> wrote:

> Fences- the double gated entries have been widened!  Trash
> receptacles to be placed within.
> We are aware of gaps, sticking closures etc... working on it....
> ahhhh.... so much to do!

This was copied from shirlingtondogs: Suzanne wrote

The Shirlington planning and development should not effect the CCA
unless the new Condos facing the area prove a problem.  There is a
longer term plan to make our side of the creek an arts center and
none of those plans include the CCA.  I sent information out but no
one else seemed exercised.  I went to the public meeting and weighed
in and the planners were unaware that our CCA was even there.  SUZ

Good Day Everyone!

We had a good showing for our first meeting on Tuesday, March 8th -
16 people!!  Thank you all for coming!  Thanks for the goodies too,
Jim and Judith!

1.  Keith Fred is point of contact (POC) for the Park.  He is the
liasion between Arlington County (Howard) and the rest of us.  Ed
Will is the alternate. We will do an "official" vote next meeting. 
Look for a "poll" on the yahoo site.

2.  Committee Members- (all volunteers) Keith Fred, Ed Will, Carol
Crew, Nancy Mitchell, and Michelle Morgan, and Stephanie Dooley.  We
will be meeting to determine our areas of responsibilities.  Info
will be forthcoming once we get together.

3.  Rules of the Park-  Everyone needs to help enforce these rules in
a kindly manner. (No Mafia, Park Militia need apply!) As the warm
weather approaches, more people = more poop!  Scoop yours
and "Orphan" ones too!
We will hand out Rules at our clean up day, they are also posted thru-
out park.  Please refresh your memory banks and assist the newcomers !

4.  Community Clean Up Day/ St. Pat's Social set for March 19th,
Saturday.  "Who can Scoop the most Poop?" Contest!  Prize awarded for
heaviest load!  9am -11am.  BBQ from 1130 - 1230. More to follow next
week.

Items of Concern-

Lighting-  Shirlington is 3rd in line.  We are working the issue with
the County.  No time set.

Erosion-   Far end of park is slated for next fiscal year.  The
scattered boulders will be used.

Water Quality-  Creek is NOT part of the park, reason for the fence
installation last year.  We can address the businesses draining their
waste into the park however.  We are working with County, DEQ on the
issue. 

Parking-  The signs posted are abiguous.  I personally have contested
my ticket (I'll let you know the outcome!)  We will work with County
Officials on the "commercial"/additonal spaces? parking areas.

Drainage- Standing puddles of green, gross-smelling waste water- we
will work this issue on Clean Up day.  Working with County now for
tools, gravel and dirt to fill holes left behind from Hurricane
Isabelle, depressions left from heavy equipment, etc....

Other Items

Fences- the double gated entries have been widened!  Trash
receptacles to be placed within.
We are aware of gaps, sticking closures etc... working on it....
ahhhh.... so much to do!

Install a "Suggestion Box" for YOUR suggestions!  We will post
pictures of the POC's for easy recognition- (We can run, but we can't
hide!!)

Newsletter on website vice Emails?  Let me know your thoughts. 
Hopefully everyone will register with the Yahoo group site.  We don't
want to create more work.....  wait... Don't we need more jobs
anyway?!

Schedule of Trash Pick Ups-  There are now only 3 containers, at each
entry point.  We either need to have DAILY p/ups or MORE containers. 
Looking into receptacles with "ventilation" holes...  could attract
rats.... dogs will like that!!!

Puppy Parties-  Need to be shared with other parks that have Puppy
Pens (Towers Park).  Ed will work this issue.  He is our liasion with
Arlington Dogs as well.

Shirlington Dogs II  Logo

One of our "Park Babes" has drawn up a logo for our park!!!!  Carol
has connections with the t-shirt and golf shirt people.  We will
forward the logo to you all next week, with additional info about the
shirts.

Because we all love the park, let's all take care of the park!

Have a wonderful weekend- and see you at the park!

Wow, thanks for doing this Nancy. I like the e-mail newsletters.  I would
probably forget to go to the website to check on the new.


Dawn
____________________________________________
Dawn K. Aldridge
H: 703-820-7147  W: 202-720-2332
Amazon_Dawn@...




>From: "Nancy" <mazlow_me@...>
>Reply-To: theshirlingtondogsII@yahoogroups.com
>To: theshirlingtondogsII@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [theshirlingtondogsII] Minutes from Meeting (Tues 8 March)
>Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 15:53:49 -0000
>
>
>Good Day Everyone!
>
>We had a good showing for our first meeting on Tuesday, March 8th -
>16 people!!  Thank you all for coming!  Thanks for the goodies too,
>Jim and Judith!
>
>1.  Keith Fred is point of contact (POC) for the Park.  He is the
>liasion between Arlington County (Howard) and the rest of us.  Ed
>Will is the alternate. We will do an "official" vote next meeting.
>Look for a "poll" on the yahoo site.
>
>2.  Committee Members- (all volunteers) Keith Fred, Ed Will, Carol
>Crew, Nancy Mitchell, and Michelle Morgan, and Stephanie Dooley.  We
>will be meeting to determine our areas of responsibilities.  Info
>will be forthcoming once we get together.
>
>3.  Rules of the Park-  Everyone needs to help enforce these rules in
>a kindly manner. (No Mafia, Park Militia need apply!) As the warm
>weather approaches, more people = more poop!  Scoop yours
>and "Orphan" ones too!
>We will hand out Rules at our clean up day, they are also posted thru-
>out park.  Please refresh your memory banks and assist the newcomers !
>
>4.  Community Clean Up Day/ St. Pat's Social set for March 19th,
>Saturday.  "Who can Scoop the most Poop?" Contest!  Prize awarded for
>heaviest load!  9am -11am.  BBQ from 1130 - 1230. More to follow next
>week.
>
>Items of Concern-
>
>Lighting-  Shirlington is 3rd in line.  We are working the issue with
>the County.  No time set.
>
>Erosion-   Far end of park is slated for next fiscal year.  The
>scattered boulders will be used.
>
>Water Quality-  Creek is NOT part of the park, reason for the fence
>installation last year.  We can address the businesses draining their
>waste into the park however.  We are working with County, DEQ on the
>issue.
>
>Parking-  The signs posted are abiguous.  I personally have contested
>my ticket (I'll let you know the outcome!)  We will work with County
>Officials on the "commercial"/additonal spaces? parking areas.
>
>Drainage- Standing puddles of green, gross-smelling waste water- we
>will work this issue on Clean Up day.  Working with County now for
>tools, gravel and dirt to fill holes left behind from Hurricane
>Isabelle, depressions left from heavy equipment, etc....
>
>Other Items
>
>Fences- the double gated entries have been widened!  Trash
>receptacles to be placed within.
>We are aware of gaps, sticking closures etc... working on it....
>ahhhh.... so much to do!
>
>Install a "Suggestion Box" for YOUR suggestions!  We will post
>pictures of the POC's for easy recognition- (We can run, but we can't
>hide!!)
>
>Newsletter on website vice Emails?  Let me know your thoughts.
>Hopefully everyone will register with the Yahoo group site.  We don't
>want to create more work.....  wait... Don't we need more jobs
>anyway?!
>
>Schedule of Trash Pick Ups-  There are now only 3 containers, at each
>entry point.  We either need to have DAILY p/ups or MORE containers.
>Looking into receptacles with "ventilation" holes...  could attract
>rats.... dogs will like that!!!
>
>Puppy Parties-  Need to be shared with other parks that have Puppy
>Pens (Towers Park).  Ed will work this issue.  He is our liasion with
>Arlington Dogs as well.
>
>Shirlington Dogs II  Logo
>
>One of our "Park Babes" has drawn up a logo for our park!!!!  Carol
>has connections with the t-shirt and golf shirt people.  We will
>forward the logo to you all next week, with additional info about the
>shirts.
>
>Because we all love the park, let's all take care of the park!
>
>Have a wonderful weekend- and see you at the park!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Good Day Everyone!

We had a good showing for our first meeting on Tuesday, March 8th -
16 people!!  Thank you all for coming!  Thanks for the goodies too,
Jim and Judith!

1.  Keith Fred is point of contact (POC) for the Park.  He is the
liasion between Arlington County (Howard) and the rest of us.  Ed
Will is the alternate. We will do an "official" vote next meeting.
Look for a "poll" on the yahoo site.

2.  Committee Members- (all volunteers) Keith Fred, Ed Will, Carol
Crew, Nancy Mitchell, and Michelle Morgan, and Stephanie Dooley.  We
will be meeting to determine our areas of responsibilities.  Info
will be forthcoming once we get together.

3.  Rules of the Park-  Everyone needs to help enforce these rules in
a kindly manner. (No Mafia, Park Militia need apply!) As the warm
weather approaches, more people = more poop!  Scoop yours
and "Orphan" ones too!
We will hand out Rules at our clean up day, they are also posted thru-
out park.  Please refresh your memory banks and assist the newcomers !

4.  Community Clean Up Day/ St. Pat's Social set for March 19th,
Saturday.  "Who can Scoop the most Poop?" Contest!  Prize awarded for
heaviest load!  9am -11am.  BBQ from 1130 - 1230. More to follow next
week.

Items of Concern-

Lighting-  Shirlington is 3rd in line.  We are working the issue with
the County.  No time set.

Erosion-   Far end of park is slated for next fiscal year.  The
scattered boulders will be used.

Water Quality-  Creek is NOT part of the park, reason for the fence
installation last year.  We can address the businesses draining their
waste into the park however.  We are working with County, DEQ on the
issue.

Parking-  The signs posted are abiguous.  I personally have contested
my ticket (I'll let you know the outcome!)  We will work with County
Officials on the "commercial"/additonal spaces? parking areas.

Drainage- Standing puddles of green, gross-smelling waste water- we
will work this issue on Clean Up day.  Working with County now for
tools, gravel and dirt to fill holes left behind from Hurricane
Isabelle, depressions left from heavy equipment, etc....

Other Items

Fences- the double gated entries have been widened!  Trash
receptacles to be placed within.
We are aware of gaps, sticking closures etc... working on it....
ahhhh.... so much to do!

Install a "Suggestion Box" for YOUR suggestions!  We will post
pictures of the POC's for easy recognition- (We can run, but we can't
hide!!)

Newsletter on website vice Emails?  Let me know your thoughts.
Hopefully everyone will register with the Yahoo group site.  We don't
want to create more work.....  wait... Don't we need more jobs
anyway?!

Schedule of Trash Pick Ups-  There are now only 3 containers, at each
entry point.  We either need to have DAILY p/ups or MORE containers.
Looking into receptacles with "ventilation" holes...  could attract
rats.... dogs will like that!!!

Puppy Parties-  Need to be shared with other parks that have Puppy
Pens (Towers Park).  Ed will work this issue.  He is our liasion with
Arlington Dogs as well.

Shirlington Dogs II  Logo

One of our "Park Babes" has drawn up a logo for our park!!!!  Carol
has connections with the t-shirt and golf shirt people.  We will
forward the logo to you all next week, with additional info about the
shirts.

Because we all love the park, let's all take care of the park!

Have a wonderful weekend- and see you at the park!

Welcome