News
June 2011 Update
Dog Park Open House
from City of Ankeny Parks & Rec Newsletter (June
2011)
Join the Dog Park Task Force at the dog park and see what everyone
is barking about on Saturday, June 18. The Ankeny Dog Park opened
in September of 2010 with rave reviews; over 850 passes have been
sold to date. The event is from 9 a.m. to noon and is free and
open to the public; no dog passes are required. Dogs and owners
can enjoy a meet and greet, fun and games and a chance to win
a $25 gift certificate toward a dog park pass! Dogs must be socialized
and current on vaccinations. Community State Bank is the title
sponsor of the Ankeny Dog Park.
March 2011 Update
3-13-11 From the Parks & Rec Director, on the Dog Park
mud issue:
Thanks to everyone for your continued use of the dog park. As
is the case every spring, we have wet conditions throughout our
park system as with snow melt and spring rains; this is quite
typical. We are aware of the mud that is at the entrance to the
dog park and have added some mulch and will continue to do so
to help mitigate the problem. It may be challenging to grow grass
in that area with the constant traffic. Probably the best short
term solution is to continue the periodic adding of mulch and
then assess if there is a better long term solution. We will keep
our eye on it. We appreciate everyone's patience and use of the
park.
3-14-11 Brick status
Got word that the dog park bricks are being engraved this week!
February 2011 Update
2-10-11 Email from Ankeny Parks & Rec Director
Ankeny Dog Park Pass Holders,
We certainly appreciate your continued enthusiasm and tremendous
usage of the Ankeny Dog Park. Without a doubt, this park has been
extremely successful to date and has generated great interest.
Sending this note out now hopefully will bring about warmer weather!
Actually, I wanted to send out this letter to update you and remind
you of several things. Please note the following:
1. Nearly 700 passes have been sold so far.
All dog park passes that have been purchased are good through
this December. Should you know others who may be interested, the
cost is $25 for residents and $35 for non-residents.
2. The city's dog license fee has increased from $5
to $10 and can be purchased either at City Hall (410
West 1st Street) or Parks & Recreation (210 South Ankeny Blvd).
A reminder that all dogs must be licensed with the City of Ankeny.
If you are outside the city limits you need to show proof of current
rabies vaccination.
3. Beginning this spring, Parks & Recreation and/or members of
the Ankeny Dog Park Task Force, will be doing random checks
at the park to make sure that those using the park have
their pass and current license. Please do not be offended by this
- we are doing it so that we can better insure safety and control.
4. Please pick up after your dog. Too much dog
waste was at the park last year. We will make sure to do a better
job of having the disposal bags in place. The Dog Park Task Force
will be organizing a pooper scooper day at some point this spring.
But please be responsible in picking up dog waste and properly
disposing it in the chutes that are at the entrance to the park.
5. More improvements are planned for the Dog Park this year.
A new shelter will be installed and if funds
permit a gravel walking path around the large
dog area will also be added. Other amenities may be added as well
should additional money be secured.
6. We are still fundraising! The Dog Park Task
Force has done a superb job raising money for the park but we
are not done. To give a tax deductible donation, please contact
task force chair Jacquie Holm-Smith at jdholmsmith@msn.com
or go to www.ankenydogpark.org
7. If you wish to donate a bench at the dog park,
please consider participating in the Parks & Recreation Memorial
& Tribute Program. The cost is $850 per bench and comes with a
customized plaque allowing you to honor or pay tribute to a loved
one. Please contact Ryan Penning with the Parks & Recreation Department
at rpenning@ankenyiowa.gov
or 963-3574. Benches will be placed in the entry area, along the
trail and walking path of the large dog area.
Thanks again for your support of the Ankeny Dog Park!
Also, please stop by or send a note to our Title Sponsor, Community
State Bank, who provided the signature sponsorship to make the
park a reality.
Todd Redenius • Director of Parks & Recreation •
City of Ankeny • 210 S Ankeny Blvd Ankeny, IA 50023-1337
• Ph 515-963-3571
November 2010 update
11-3-10 Water Turned Off
The City will be turning the water off at the dog park today.
This is in prep for the winter. We don't want broken lines and
no water for next year! :-) So, bring your own water until spring.
October 2010 Update
10-24-10 Kennel Cough going around Ankeny's canine community
Please Be Informed: A strand of Kennel Cough
(the equivalent of the human cold/flu) is going around Ankeny's
canine community. Below are some basic facts to help alleviate
any fears and prevent further spread of the illness.
1) Like the human cold/flu, Kennel Cough is extremely common
wherever multiple dogs are present.
2) The typical Kennel Cough vaccination given by your vet fights
the most common variety (which lasts 2-3 weeks and often requires
a major antibiotic), as well as a few of the other possible strands.
3) The different strands of Kennel Cough not covered by the vaccine
usually last 3-5 days, and dogs typically recover on their own.
4) Symptoms include coughing or hacking - as if the dog has something
stuck in its throat. It may seem like they are trying to bark,
but it sounds more like a goose "honking."
5) A dog can carry Kennel Cough for up to 10 days without showing
any signs (coughing or hacking), causing other dogs to become
infected without ever knowing it. While disinfectants will kill
the virus, it will live in the air much like a human cold virus.
6) Kennel Cough can be spread wherever there is more than one
dog in close proximity to each other, i.e. neighborhood walks,
pet stores, dog parks, rescues etc. It is important to remember
that just because you have gotten your dog vaccinated, does not
mean that others did also.
7) To help prevent the spread of this illness, please DO NOT
take your dog to a public place if he/she displays any symptoms
- this includes the Dog Park , doggie daycare, boarding or any
training classes you may be taking.
We consulted several vets in town before sending out this note.
Like most vaccines, including the flu shot, the Bordetella vaccine
only protects against the most common strains. There are many
strains out there. So, you'll be protected from the common ones,
but who knows which strain(s) are going around the community.
If your dog is experiencing symptoms, please keep them away from
the dog park, so other dogs are not infected.
Much like a child's daycare or school, if your dog is sick with
anything (coughing, goopy eyes, diarrhea or vomiting) please do
not expose others!The health of our pets is a shared responsibility.
Taking simple steps can help keep your dog and your dog's playmates
healthy and happy.
If you have any questions, please contact your local veterinarian.
September 2010 Update
DM Register Article (9/23/10) Park gives Ankeny dogs
room to roam
By MELANIE LAGESCHULTE • mlagesch@dmreg.com • September
23, 2010
After years of planning, the 7.5-acre dog park opens near Somersby
Park on the southern edge of the city.
The party started in the parking lot before Ankeny Dog Park organizers
could even cut the ribbon.
More than 50 people - and many more dogs of all colors and sizes
- gathered late Friday morning to wait for the noon grand opening.
Leashed pooches pulled their human friends along as they approached
other dogs in greeting and romped in the sunshine.
Sinclair Stolle, vice president of the task force that helped
city officials create the dog park, said 305 park passes had been
sold as of that morning.
"I think it's a well-needed feature for Ankeny," Stolle
said. She brought Boz, her Australian shepherd-German shorthair
mix, to the celebration.
The park spans 7.5 acres near the intersection of Southwest Goodwin
Street and South Ankeny Road, north of Somersby Park. The site
is fenced and features a half-acre pond, park shelter, trail and
green space for dogs to run.
The park also includes separate areas for small and large dogs,
and water fountains for both humans and canines.
Task force members have raised about $60,000 to date, said president
Jacquie Holm-Smith, with $30,000 of that donated by Community
State Bank. The City Council added $50,000 in matching money for
the project.
Mayor Steve Van Oort noted the hard work of several city officials
and staff members along with resident volunteers to make the park
happen.
"Today's been a long time in coming," he said.
Ankeny has several amenities, Van Oort said, such as the band
shell and the skate park, and this is just one more feature for
residents to enjoy.
Dog parks "really are a great cornerstone to a great community,"
he said.
"I'm very excited to welcome you to the park," Van
Oort said.
The dogs began to bark.
"And I think they all agree," he added.
Holm-Smith thanked those who worked on the project, including
Parks and Recreation Director Todd Redenius.
"He's probably the second-happiest person here today"
after herself, Holm-Smith said. She started calling Redenius to
lobby for a dog park five years ago.
Fundraising continues to add other features to the park, such
as agility equipment, a park shelter, trails and more.
Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce President Brad Botos offered
a commemorative plaque for the park.
"I sense the natives are getting restless so I'll keep this
brief," Botos said, as the dogs continued to fidget in anticipation.
"I do have one recommendation," he said. "More
fire hydrants in the general vicinity."
The ribbon-cutting brought cheers from the people and more excited
barking. Then the crowd passed through the double gates. Leashes
were unhooked and the pooches took off, running up to other dogs,
exploring the grass or heading to cool off in the pond.
Brandi and Daniel Hocken live within walking distance of the
park and said they plan to bring their dogs at least once a week.
Lucy, 10, is a papillon/Jack Russell mix, and Saydi, an Italian
greyhound/German shepherd mix, will be one year old in October.
Daniel said Saydi probably thinks he got her the dog park for
her birthday.
"This is the best thing that's ever happened to her,"
he said as both dogs enthusiastically ran with the throng on opening
day.
June 2010 Update
6-4-10: Construction Update
Dog Waste Underground Tank: installed the end
of May.
Water Line: The water line for the drinking
fountain will be run SOON. The drinking fountain and disposable
bags have been ordered.
Fencing: Bids will be due in early June and
approved at Council June 7. A fencing completion date is set for
July 15. As part of the fence bid, there will also be a bid to
construct the entry concrete pad.
Parking Lot & Trail Leading to Entry Area: Once
the fence is up, we will begin the parking lot and trail connection
project. Looking at a 24-25 stall parking lot. We are shooting
for a mid-August completion date with both of these features.
Once the parking lot, trail, entry area, septic, water line and
fence are complete, we will be ready to open. Shooting for a late
August or September 1 grand opening timeline.
February 2010 Update
2-19-10: Construction Update
The Ankeny Dog Park construction began last fall with grading
of the 7.5 acre site and construction of a 1/2 acre pond. The
site was seeded last fall; however, due to the harsh winter, we
expect to do another seeding phase this spring. Some trees were
also planted along the perimeter of the dog park site to serve
as a screen between the homes that border SW 37th Court and the
dog park site. The next phase of construction will begin this
spring and will consist of fencing the entire 7.5 acre property,
creating the large and small dog areas through fencing configurations,
and pouring concrete at the entry area of the park. A storage
tank to hold dog waste will be placed underground near the entrance
and a water line will be run from SW Ankeny Road to the site,
allowing us to put in a drinking fountain.
Much of the timing of the next phases of work that will occur
this spring and summer depends when the snow melts, how wet the
site is after snow melting, and amount of spring rains. At this
point we are planning on an August/September grand opening.
For more information on the park layout, check out the "Park
Info" page of our website.
January 2010 Update
Dog Park Permit Fees Announced: $25/dog (Residents), $35/dog
(Non-Residents)
Tentative Park Opening Date (dependent on the weather) is late
August/September.
July 2009 Update
Bark & Brew Raises $800 for Ankeny Dog Park
July 27, 2009
(ANKENY, Iowa) – Thanks to 79 dogs and more than 100 people,
Bark & Brew at Chips Restaurant raised $800 for the Ankeny
Dog Park.
Guests enjoyed food and refreshments, while Canine Craze Performance
Center entertained the crowd with agility demonstrations. Brown
Dog Bakery served frozen doggie treats, and Pawsitively Pampered
offered nail trimming.
Additional services and prizes were provided by event partners
4 Paws Unleashed, Ashley’s Pet Sitting, Doll Distributing,
Scooper Troopers, and Tone Brothers, Inc.
Upcoming Ankeny Dog Park events include a Paw Spa at the Bark
Zone, August 29, and the 2nd Annual BarktoberFest at Chips, October
3. Several new events are also being planned.
Earlier this year the City of Ankeny confirmed a 7.5-acre dog
park site just north of Somersby Park on the corner of SW Ankeny
Road and SW Goodwin Street.
With a $30,000 commitment from Community State Bank, the Dog
Park Task Force is on its way to realizing its $50,000 Phase I
fundraising goal to begin construction on the park. Additional
funds will need raised before subsequent phases of the $150,000
project can be completed.
June 2009 Update
Noodle Zoo and Chips help Ankeny Dog Park raise $450
Dog park supporters dined at Noodle
Zoo for a “Paw-Free Patio Party” June 27. Guests
received Brown
Dog Bakery treats for their canine companions at home. The event
raised $400.
Doll
Distributing representatives and Noodle Zoo owner, Kim Rushing,
pause for a photo during the “Paw-Free Patio Party”
June 27.
On June 20, Chips
Restaurant donated $50 in raffle proceeds from their 4th Annual
Classic Car Show to the Ankeny Dog Park. Chips hosted three Dog
Park fundraisers in 2008, and will again welcome dogs to Bark &
Brew, July 25, and Barktoberfest, Oct. 3.
Mitch
Saienga, Manager of Chips Restaurant, presents Jacquie Holm-Smith
of the Ankeny Dog Park Task Force with $50 raised in a raffle at
Chips' 4th Annual Classic Car Show.
May 2009 Update
Community State Bank commits $30,000 to Ankeny Dog Park Project
May 5, 2009
(ANKENY, Iowa) – In an exclusive title sponsorship agreement,
Community State Bank has pledged $30,000 to the Ankeny Dog Park
project – committing $10,000 per year for three years beginning
in 2009.
CSB President Mark Degner presented the first $10,000 installment
to Mayor Van Oort at the May 4 Ankeny City Council meeting. Combined
with money raised from individual contributions, CSB’s $30,000
commitment puts Dog Park organizers within $10,000 of its $50,000
fundraising goal.
“The Dog Park is a unique opportunity for CSB to a make
a long-term investment in the Ankeny community. It’s a good
fit for a progressive city that’s “Bringing it All
Together” – one that will help spur continued growth
by drawing visitors and new residents to the area,” said
Degner.
“We are thrilled CSB stepped forward with such a significant
contribution. We plan to break ground this fall, once the full
$50,000 is raised,” said Parks and Recreation Director Todd
Redenius.
Last month the City announced plans for a 7.5 acre Dog Park as
part of the proposed Somersby Park Expansion Project (located
on the southwest side of Ankeny ). Along with a 4.5 acre Prairie
Conservation Area, the Somersby expansion will add roughly 12
acres. Trails linking the current Somersby Park to the Prairie
Area and Dog Park will be added, as will landscape screening.
The Dog Park Task Force hopes CSB’s contribution and pending
Somersby location will generate additional donations. Organizers
have launched a brick campaign with a goal of at least 100 brick
donors by fall. More information about Dog Park bricks and upcoming
events is available at www.AnkenyDogPark.org.
Iowa-owned Community State Bank is a full-service financial institution,
offering banking, mortgage, insurance and financial solutions
at ten convenient metro locations. For more information on how
Community State Bank is Redefining SimpleTM, visit www.bankCSB.com.
Member FDIC.
Community State Bank President Mark Degner presents the first
$10,000 installment of CSB’s $30,000 Ankeny Dog Park Title
Sponsorship. Pictured (L-R): Ankeny Dog Park Task Force Chair
Jacquie Holm-Smith, CSB President Mark Degner, City of Ankeny
Mayor Steve Van Oort, and Parks and Recreation Director Todd Redenius.
November 2008 Update
The Ankeny City Council voted 3-1 on Monday (11/17) endorsing the
Ankeny Dog Park project and the formation of a public-private partnership
between the City of Ankeny and the Ankeny Dog Park Task Force for
the future construction of a dog park at a location to be determined
in Ankeny, Iowa.
Signatures: 2,836 total signatures collected.
October 2008 Update
Barktoberfest - a HUGE success - October 11 at Chips Restaurant.
Over 190 dogs attended!
Signatures: 2,470 total signatures collected.
July 2008 Update
Bark & Brew II - another success - July 26 at Chips Restaurant
June 2008 Update
Signatures: 2,016 total signatures collected.
Bark & Brew I - our first event - June 28 at Chips Restaurant
March 2008 Update
Signatures: 1,514 total signatures collected.
January 2008 Update
Signatures: 1,200 total signatures collected.
First Ankeny Dog Park organizational meeting held November 14,
2007.
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