JC DogPAC News

December 11, 2008

At the December board meeting, JC DogPAC elected Ann Bartels and Karla Tonella to the board. Both have dogs, are regularly at the Thornberry Park, and have ideas for board activities.

Thanks to out-going members Ed Zastrow, Kelly Neppl, and Lisa Allen.

December 2008 - 2009 Park Permit Tags Available

You can buy 2009 park permit tags at the IC Animal Center, 4852 Sand Road, or at the Robert A Lee Recreation Center, corner of Washington and Gilbert Street. See the Park Info page for more information about permit tags.

26-27 November - Lucky Pawz Playground Closed

The city is having concrete poured at the entry area to the Lucky Pawz Playground. The contractor did not give much notice of when they would do the work. Lucky Pawz will be open on Friday, 28 November.

12 October, 26 October (Sundays)- Emma's Run Reserved

Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center has reserved Emma's Run for 2 hours, 10am-12 noon, these two Sundays in October. The Center lost their big exercise area in the June flood, and so are bringing some dogs to TOP to exercise, socialize, and hang out. Maybe you'll see your next dog enjoying some off-leash time in Emma's Run some Saturday or Sunday.

Photos of some shelter dogs enjoying Emma's Run. Thanks to FACF for the photos.

12 October, Sunday - Emma's Run Reserved

From 2-4pm on Sunday, 12 October, the Iowa City Senior Center is sponsoring Paw Prints dog show and games, for people 50 years and older and their dogs. For further information, contact Susan Rogusky at 356-5224 or susan-rogusky@iowa-city.org.

Read the article about this event in the Press-Citizen. There is a photo, too.

19 October, Sunday- Emma's Run Reserved

TT has reserved Emma's Run for Sunday, 19 October, 10am-3pm, for a play date organized by the QCGA, Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption. The event will highlight the need for people to adopt greyhounds that have retired from racing. Stop by to meet the greyhounds.

These dogs had fun. (They wear muzzles because a greyhound's skin is so thin.) Read the article in the Press-Citizen.

11 October, 21 October, and 26 October- Emma's Run Reserved

The Solon dogs are playing together again on Saturday, 11 October, 3:45-5:45pm; and
Tuesday, 21 October, from 4:30-6:30pm; and
Sunday, 26 October, from 2-4pm.
If you have a Solon rescue dog, come to these play possibilities. If not, please plan to use Emma's Run before or after the play events. Thank you.

Interested in having an event in Emma's Run? See the information here.

4 October, 18 October (Saturdays)- Emma's Run Reserved

Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center has reserved Emma's Run for 2 hours, 11am-1pm, on some Saturdays and Sundays in October. The Center lost their big exercise area in the June flood, and so are bringing some dogs to TOP to exercise, socialize, and hang out. Maybe you'll see your next dog enjoying some off-leash time in Emma's Run on Saturday or Sunday.

27 September - Emma's Run Reserved

LDP has reserved Emma's Run for Saturday, 27 September from 3:45-5:45pm. The Solon dogs are getting together at that time.

Interested in having an event in Emma's Run? See the information here.

Shelter Construction

The shelters are done, but the webmaster has not had time to upload photos. Go to the park to see.

As you can see, Lammers Construction is building the remaining 3 shelters at TOP. There will be 2 shelters in the Lucky Pawz Playground and one each in Emma's Run and the Linder Tire Service Small Dog Yards.

First shelter, modified, in Lucky Pawz Playground	Shelter framed
Shelter in Emma's Run	Shelter being roofed

22 July 2008 - Lily's Pond Open

Lily's Pond is open again. The city did not test the water before re-opening the pond. Bacteria levels in the pond may rise and fall with rain and temperature changes. As always, be prudent if allowing your dog to use the pond.

3 August 2008 - Emma's Run Reserved

M.M. has reserved Emma's Run for a dog party on Sunday, 3 August 2008, from 2-4pm. Please do not plan to use Emma's Run for that time unless you have been invited to the party. Thank you.

Interested in having an event in Emma's Run? See the information here.

27 July 2008 - Emma's Run Reserved

P.V. has reserved Emma's Run for a dog party on Sunday, 27 July 2008, from 2-4pm. (Photos below.) Please do not plan to use Emma's Run for that time unless you have been invited to the party. Thank you.

Interested in having an event in Emma's Run? See the information here.

25 June 2008 - Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park Reopens at Noon

• The park re-opened Wednesday, 25 June, at noon.

• Use caution when letting your dogs exercise in areas that were flooded.
  Contaminants and bacteria may still be present.

• JC DogPAC suggests that you wash your dog's feet after using the park.

• Please do not use the water tank for washing your dog.

• Lily's Pond remains closed until further notice.

9 June 2008 - Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park Closed Until Further Notice

As of Monday afternoon, June 9, 2008, Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park is closed until further notice because of flooding. As additional information becomes available, it will be posted here and to the Yahoo group.

28 May 2008 - See the Make a Donation page for information on how JC DogPAC has spent its funds.

28 April - 4 May - JC DogPAC Information at Hy-Vee Drugstore

As part of a week-long event at the Hy-Vee Drugstore at Rochester and 1st Avenue, JC DogPAC has information about the organization, registration forms for the Bone-anza event, and forms to get a off-leash park use permit. Stop by the table in the store to get forms. 1-4 May you can also see animals available for adoption from the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center.

22 April 2008 - Emma's Run Closed; Lucky Pawz Open

All dogs are welcome once again to run in the Lucky Pawz Playground. Emma's Run is closed for rest and rehabilitation for a while.

16 April 2008 - Landscaping by Master Gardeners

The entry area at the Thornberry Off-leash Dog Park needs help, and the local Master Gardeners have offered their expertise. Come help plant that area on Saturday, 31 May. Use the volunteer form and email it to the JC DogPAC board. Here's the gardening plan so you can see what we'll be planting.

18 March 2008 - Lucky Paws Playground is CLOSED

Due to wet conditions and soft grounds, the Lucky Pawz section of the Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park is closed until further notice. The other two sections of the dog park (Emma's Run and Linder Tire Small Dog Yard) are open for use by all dogs.

13 March 2008 - Exit gate from Lucky Pawz Playground

During the most difficult time of ice blocking the gates at TOP, some well-meaning park users locked the exit gate from the Lucky Pawz Playground with a combination lock. While that did serve to keep dogs from escaping through gates that would not stay closed, a combination lock is not appropriate on a public structure. The city will remove the chain and put up signs asking people to use the other gates.

DogPAC and the city have talked about putting a different closing latch on the gates. You'll see those new latches later this spring.

13 March 2008 - Poop tank and stacks update

The city was able to pump out the poop tank in the Lucky Pawz Playground. The stacks into which you put the green poop bags are still clogged, so don't try to use them yet. Thanks to city staff for their work at TOP.

10 March 2008 - Poop tank and stacks

The poop stacks to the in-ground poop tank in the Lucky Pawz Playground are clogged. City staff were at the park this morning trying to unclog the stacks. They were unable to do so. Ice is blocking the manhole lid that gives entry to the tank. Until the weather warms enough to melt the ice, the city has bagged the stacks so people will know not to use the stacks. They also put trash cans next to the stack. The city will empty those cans daily. Please do your part by putting dog poop in the cans for collection.

6 March 2008 - Newspaper article

Read the Press-Citizen article about a second off-leash area in Iowa City.