The document outlines the process of building an award-winning dog park in Frankfort, Illinois with no taxpayer funding. It discusses conducting research to determine community needs, selecting an appropriate unused plot of land, fundraising to cover costs, and developing amenities like separate areas for large and small dogs, water fountains, and a gate system to track vaccinations. Rules and ongoing administration procedures were also established to manage the park safely and keep it a self-sustaining resource for the community.
3. I. Why Build a Dog Park
Bark Park is not a park for dogs—it’s a
park for people who care for dogs!
Frankfort Park District January 2009
4. I. Why Build a Dog Park
Demand—Dog owners are
asking for a safe place to run
their dogs (a national and local trend)
Pet-friendly community
resource (enables dogs
to legally run off-leash)
Frankfort Park District January 2009
5. I. Why Build a Dog Park
Benefits for Owners
Promotes park usage for “empty nesters”
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Promotes socialization
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within community
Frankfort Park District January 2009
6. I. Why Build a Dog Park
Safe place to exercise
Promotes healthy
lifestyle
Strengthens the
socializing of a dog
Frankfort Park District January 2009
7. I. Community Demographics,
Trends and Needs
Frankfort Population: 16,000
(The 36th fastest growing suburb in the U.S.)
Frankfort Dogs: Estimate 1,500
(39% of households nationwide own at least
one dog; source Humane Society)
Frankfort Parks for People: 18
Frankfort Parks for Dogs: 1
(2.5 acres of tail-waggin’ fun)
Frankfort Park District January 2009
8. I. Community Demographics,
Trends and Needs
Frankfort population continues to grow
More families = more dogs
Frankfort Park District January 2009
9. I. Community Demographics,
Trends and Needs
Dog businesses also continue to build in the
community: groomers, vets, daycare, boarding,
agility, obedience, pet retail stores, bakeries,
and more
Frankfort Park District January 2009
10. I. Park Member Pride
Bark Park Pride is Prevalent
Members spread the word about the park, thus
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helping build membership
Owners bring their cameras, take pictures
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Members take responsibility to ensure their
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dog gets regular exercise
Frankfort Park District January 2009
11. I. Park Member Ownership
Members share ownership of the park via:
Personal donations
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Memberships
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Plaque/tree/bench purchases
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
12. I. Park Member Responsibilities
Members take responsibility
They help keep it clean: “scoop the poop”
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They keep vaccinations up to date
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Problems reported and suggestions offered
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
13. I. National Recognition
In 2008, Frankfort Bark Park is recognized
as one of America’s Top Ten Parks by
Dog Fancy Magazine
Gate system with its ability
to create a reminder system
cited as a big plus
Frankfort Park District January 2009
14. II. Site Selection Criteria
Location
Topography
Vegetation
Parking
Lighting
Water
Safety
Frankfort Park District January 2009
15. II. Site: Location
Frankfort Park District donated 2.5 acres of unused
land within the 60-acre Commissioners Park.
Land is sloping, not suitable for sporting events but
ideal for a dog park.
Bark Park is in close proximity to a skate park, tennis
courts, soccer field and more family-friendly park
amenities.
Frankfort Park District January 2009
16. II. Site: Topography/Vegetation
Slightly sloped—helps prevent puddles
and standing water
No trees or shrubs
existed
Grass and weeds
existed
Frankfort Park District January 2009
17. II. Site: Parking
Paved path and parking lot existed
Gravel walking path and parking lot
were added in closer
proximity to the
entrance.
Frankfort Park District January 2009
18. II. Site: Lighting
Currently no lights exist at the park
or gravel parking lot
Park hours are dawn to dusk
2009 goal is to add lights
Frankfort Park District January 2009
20. III. Amenities/Requirements
Gate entrance system
Cost: What can we afford
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Function: High tech/low tech
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entrance system
Looks: Community standards
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
21. III. Gate System
We can monitor usage
Identify violators
Those who don’t update their shots
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Key component to get support from vets and
pet businesses
Shot monitoring
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Encourages healthy member dogs
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
22. III. Gate System
Keeps non-members out
Identify members in case of an incident,
including victim, violator or witness
It supports charging for
membership
Frankfort Park District January 2009
23. III. Amenities/Requirements
Run Areas
Separate run areas for small and large dogs
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Small dog defined as 25 lbs or less
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Additional landscaping
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added between the areas
to discourage dogs from
fence running
Frankfort Park District January 2009
24. III. Amenities/Requirements
Waste Bag Stations
Our Motto:
“Scoop the Poop”
Bag stations are situation
inside and out the park,
along with covered trash cans
(to minimize odor in warm months)
Frankfort Park District January 2009
25. III. Amenities/Requirements
Waste Bag Stations
Bag stations are sponsored
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by a local Frankfort pet
business
Park District staff refills
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the stations perodically
Frankfort Park District January 2009
26. III. Amenities/Requirements
Water Fountain
Located outside the park
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in neutral area
Prevents guarding or territorial behavior
Easier to maintain outside of park
Spigot to fill up water containers
Handicap accessible
Situated on concrete
Frankfort Park District January 2009
27. III. Amenities/Requirements
Sponsorship and Memorial Boards
Fundraising tool
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Members can honor pets
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past and present
Pet businesses can show
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their support and market
themselves
Community showcase
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
28. III. Boards
Frankfort Park District January 2009
29. III. Boards
Frankfort Park District January 2009
30. III. Amenities/Requirements
Benches
Members can rest
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Sponsorship
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opportunity
Shade Shelters
Two in large run area,
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one in common area
Frankfort Park District January 2009
31. III. Amenities/Requirements
Landscaping
Grass and weeds were already there
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Seeding
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Fertilization
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Aeration
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Mowing
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
32. IV. Organizational Issues
Fundraising
Construction
Administration
Frankfort Park District January 2009
33. IV. Fundraising
501(c)3 Status
Public Donations
Private Donations
Ongoing Fundraising
Frankfort Park District January 2009
34. IV. Fundraising
Operation Playground
What is a 501(c)3?
How did being a
non-profit help
us build the park
Frankfort Park District January 2009
35. IV. Fundraising
Create a 501(c)3
People want to know where money is going
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1-2 months to create
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Assistance from dog-friendly lawyer
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Run by a private organization
Form committees within the group
Get tasks approved by park district
Frankfort Park District January 2009
36. IV. Fundraising
Public Donations
Letter-writing and phone calls to:
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• Pet Businesses, non-pet businesses, foundations
Community garage sale
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Publicity in local newspapers
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Shake the can
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
38. IV. Fundraising
Private Donations (Families)
Plaques
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Benches
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Trees
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Monetary
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
39. IV. Fundraising Support
Creation of Bark Park brochure
Overview of project
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Suggested donation amounts
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Rendering of the park
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Plaque, bench and tree info with space to write the
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message
Reminder that donations are tax deductible
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Used local pet vendors to help distribute the
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brochures to dog owners
Frankfort Park District January 2009
40. IV. Fundraising Support
Created Frankfort Bark Park website
www.frankfortbarkpark.com
Made donating online available
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Provided periodic construction updates
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Uploaded supporting documents such as park
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rendering, 501(c)3 letter, donation forms and more
Frankfort Park District January 2009
42. IV. Fundraising
Ongoing Fundraising
Park memberships—money comes back to
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Operation Playground, not the park district—this
keeps the park self-sustaining
Frankfort Fall Fest parking lot management
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
43. IV. Building the Park
Park Rendering/Drawing: provides an
idea of what the park will look like
Materials
Bids/Donations
Signage
Frankfort Park District January 2009
44. IV. Building the Park
Materials/Specifications List
Identify vendors and contact
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Discuss options (example: brick color)
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Negotiate pricing
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Determine materials cost
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Build as funds allow
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We paid our vendors along the way
Frankfort Park District January 2009
45. IV. Building the Park
Bids and Donations
Ask community leaders if their business can help
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Businesses, vendors and friends of the park district
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
46. IV. Building the Park
Get a drawing of your park for promotional
and fundraising purposes
Our rendering got published in local
newspaper and community publications
which helped draw the attention of readers
Frankfort Park District January 2009
48. IV. Building the Park
Signage
Important
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communication tool
Outside the park
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Leash rule
How to register
Inside the park
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Rules
Leash rule in common area
Frankfort Park District January 2009
50. IV. Administration
Rules
Incident Management
Shot Monitoring
Website
Publicity
Memberships
Frankfort Park District January 2009
51. IV. Administration
Rules
Research other park rules – work with PDRMA
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(risk management) and your lawyer
Develop a liability waiver too
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Post rules on the website
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Post rules at your park
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Reiterate in newsletter
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Incorporate into membership package
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New in 2009: Signoff on rules page
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
52. IV. Administration
Incident Management
Develop a policy for consistent and fair
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method to handling incidents
Utilize your local Animal Control resources
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
53. IV. Administration
Shot Monitoring
Vaccination data entered into a database
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Members are contacted the month before their shot
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records expire.
Card is deactivated the next month
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
54. IV. Administration
Website
Fundraising tool in the beginning
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Park progress posted during construction
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Downloadable registration packet posted along
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with rates and general info
Events page helps us promote upcoming events
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Good source for the media
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
55. IV. Administration
Publicity
Dog events (2008 Pooch-A-Palooza)
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Word of mouth
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Referrals from members and local pet businesses
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Frankfort Park District January 2009
56. IV. Administration
Memberships
Frankfort Park District manages the registration
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and paperwork
Volunteers continue to assist with other tasks such
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as event planning, website, newsletter
Frankfort Park District January 2009
57. Contact Us
Jeff Boubelik, Executive Director,
Frankfort Parks, 815-469-9400
Phil Simmons, Operation Playground/
Frankfort Bark Park, 708-226-5418
Kathy Tinker, Operation Playground/
Frankfort Bark Park, 815-464-1711
Frankfort Park District January 2009
58. Thank You
“A tired dog is a happy dog”
Frankfort Park District January 2009