7th Annual Dog Paddle, 2009

Thanks for coming to this year's Dog Paddle, which is the main fund-raising event that DogPAC holds annually. Proceeds go to improve both Iowa City Off-leash dog parks: Thornberry and Rita's Ranch. This year's paddle honored Terry Trueblood, who aided JC DogPAC unmeasurably in his time as director of I.C. Parks and Recreation.

There was good press coverage for the 7th annual Dog Paddle. Read the Press-Citizen article and the Daily Iowan article.

If you were there, perhaps Jeff got photos of your dog or you. (He took the photo at the top left of this page.) He has photographed at the Dog Paddle for years. Check his web site for photos from Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9, where you can buy his photos.

Do you want to volunteer to help with the Dog Paddle in 2010 and so get to wear the voluneer t-shirt as well as be part of the event? Please write to Adrienne.

Sponsors for the 2009 event were Woofables, the Gourmet Dog Bakery; Shamrock Construction; MidwestOne Bank; Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service; Leash on Life; Hills Bank and Trust; Bea Day Plumbers; and Bark Busters. Thanks to the North Dodge Athletic Club for providing tennis balls. Special thanks to the City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation for letting the dogs use the City Park pool and providing lifeguards.

On Saturday, July 25, 2009, Rita's Ranch, Iowa City's second off-leash dog park, opened. Your dog(s) should be wearing the same permit tag that gives them access to the Thornberry Off-leash Park as well.

waiting for the ranch to open rita waiting to enter her ranch
dogs gathering (l); Rita sits (r)

rita waits anne cuts the ribbon

Rita is eager to enter (l); Anne cuts the ribbon (r)

Read the article about the opening in the Press-Citizen.

6th Annual Dog Paddle, 2008

JC DogPAC's 6th Annual Dog Paddle was a great event. Our first count indicates that about 700 dogs came to swim, many of them on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Thanks to everyone who came and to all the volunteers who made the event run smoothly.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen covered the event with an article and photos. The Daily Iowan published this photo.

As he has done for several years, Jeff Banaszek took photos. When you get to his web site, select Gallery, then Events. Because Jeff has taken photos at many Dog Paddles, make sure you select the 9/2/08 or 9/3/08 galleries to find your dog. You can buy his photos from his site as well.

JC DogPAC thanks Iowa City Parks and Recreation for giving us access to the City Park pool. Thanks also to 2008 sponsors Bark Busters, Bright Eyes & Bushy Tails Veterinary Hospital, Hills Bank, Leash on Life, Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, and MidWestOne Bank. Thanks also to Connie Hageman, who designed the 2008 Dog Paddle posters (as well the 2007 and 2006 posters);
North Dodge Athletic Club, who again gave us 100 tennis balls for the dogs to retrieve and slobber on;
Waterfront Hy-Vee, who donated ice and water for the volunteers.

boneanza poster BONE-anza

On Saturday, May 10, 2008, WOOFABLES and JC DogPAC held the spring BONE-anza. Though not as many dogs and people attended as we were prepared for, at least Iowa City City Park was open and usable at that time.

Dog Paddle 2007, September 4 & 5, 2007

Dog Paddle 2007 was a huge success. Read the Press-Citizen article about Tuesday's paddle. More than 770 dogs came, and we know that some of those dogs got to swim both days. Thanks to everyone who came, all the dogs, the sponsors, and the volunteers. Shall we do it again next year?

waiting to get into the dog paddle poolside at the paddle

Jeff Banaszek, our official photographer, posted photos from Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dog Paddle 2007 sponsors were Pet Memories Accessories, Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Leash on Life, Iowa State Bank & Trust Company, Camp Bow Wow, Bright Eyes & Bushy Tails Veterinary Hospital, and Bark Busters.

dogs at dog paddle 4th Annual Dog Paddle, Sept. 5-6, 2006

It was a success for dogs and people alike, and over $5200 was raised to support on-going improvements at the park. Some lucky dogs got to swim both days of the paddle. Many happy people discovered that the paddle was great fun to watch and be a part of. Thanks to everyone who came to support this terrific event, all of the volunteers, and our sponsors: Bright Eyes and Bushy Tails Veterinary Hospital, The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette, Iowa State Bank & Trust, Leash on Life, Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, and Woofables.

See 2006 Dog Paddle photos by Jeff Banaszek, who has taken photos of other JC DogPAC events, available for viewing on his web site.

Photos of the 2005 Paddle.

Park Opened on Saturday, June 17, 2006

The Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park opened officially at 8am on Saturday, June 17, 2006. Look at photos from that great day. Park rules and information here.

EGGStravaganzas

The second EGGStravaganza, a hunt for dog treats for you and your dog, was held on the rain date of Sunday, May 7, 2006. There were lots of eager dogs that hunted for, and found, the 5000 egg-shaped treats made by Woofables. See photos from the event, taken by Jeff Banaszek, who has photographed several DogPAC events.

See photos from the April 2005 EGGStravaganza.

Thornberry Funds Construction

At a press conference on Friday, 14 October 2005, Dean Thornberry announced a generous gift that will fund construction of the dog park.

dean thornberry and JCDogPAC board bulldozer at dog park dean thornberry, anne burnside at press conference

Dean Thornberry and JCDogPAC board Equipment ready at the park site Anne Burnside and Dean Thornberry

updated September 10, 2009