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"No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich."
- Louis Sabin
Puttin' on the Dog Faire
The Arroyo Grande Park and Recreation Department and the Five Cities Dog Park Association are co-hosting our first annual Puttin' On The Dog faire on Saturday, August 21, 9am to 1pm at Elm Street Park. Our goal is to raise money to pay for ongoing park expenses, promote responsible dog ownership, and celebrate our canine best friends. 100% of the proceeds from the contests go to the Five Cities Dog Park Association for use at the Elm Street Dog Park. All dogs and humans are welcome to join us for a fun day at the park!
Beneful Dream Dog Park
$500,000 Contest
Beneful is offering up to $500,000 for a makeover of an existing dog park to create a Dream Park. Entries from all over the county have been sumbitted, and the winner will be selected in September.
Our entry for the proposed Pismo Beach park, featuring Trisha and Hailey, has entered the top ten!
Click here to view entry.
Voting is from July 14 - August 11, and we will be sending out more information on how to vote. While the public vote is only 10% of the total judging, it would be great to get 5 paws.
Go to the Beneful web site to see the entire competition. Beneful Wag World Dream Dogpark Contest.
Progress on Proposed Dog Park in Pismo Beach
In an effort to help meet the ongoing need for dog owners in the Five Cities area, and help relieve the overuse of the Elm Street Park, Five Cities Dog Park Association is working on getting a second park in Pismo Beach. It would be located on Shell Beach Road, just north of The Cliffs, at the intersection with Beachcomber. The site is almost double the size of the Elm Street Park. It is currently owned by the City of Pismo Beach and zoned Open Space. The city's Parks & Rec Commission has embraced the idea of a dog park and favored this site over several possibilities.
A Biological Survey has been performed to confirm that there are no threatened or endangered species on the site, and we are now working with city staff on other issues. It appears that most of the concern is related to traffic and pedestrian safety. The site currently has 8 parking spots which are, at times, used for beach parking. The conceptual plan for the park would expand parking to approximately 20 spaces.
This will be a long process, and we have been told the City will likely consider our proposal early next year, with all other similar requests.
April 6th, 2010
Pismo Beach City Council Asks for More Information
The Pismo Beach City Council met tonight and listened to a proposal for a new dog park located on Shell Beach Rd.
Five Cities Dog Park Association President Cynthia Eklund offered the Council the Association's support to plan, implement and maintain a new park.
The City Council did not take a vote during the meeting to approve or disapprove the park, but expressed concerns about the costs involved, citing other projects that are already in the City's budget. Mayor Pro-tem Higgenbotham seemed adamant about keeping the project moving toward an eventual vote in the future, asking boardmembers to direct staff to gather additional information for further review.
The meeting is available to watch on the City's website, PismoBeach.org. Click here to link directly to the meeting playback.
March 30th, 2010
Pismo Beach Considering Dog Park
The Pismo Beach Parks, Recreation and Beautification Commmission (PRBC) is considering a dog park!
The following is taken from a City Notice published on March 24th:
Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Commission (PRBC): A Special Meeting of the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Commission will be held at City Hall, 760 Mattie Road in the City Council chamber on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 6:30 PM. The PRBC will go over the idea of a dog park and accept public comment. The discussion will then be continued with the City Council on Tuesday, April 6 as noted below.
A Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and PRBC will be held at 760 Mattie Road in the City Council chambers on Tuesday, April 6, at 4:00 PM. The Council will receive a presentation from the PRBC, review and discuss the dog park idea, including public comments, and provide the PRBC with direction Purpose of the meetings: To provide you with the opportunity to participate in the discussion of possible development and use of city owned property between Shell Beach Road and U.S. Highway 101 across from Beachcomber for a dog park as shown below. You are invited to appear and speak at the meetings identified below to give oral or written comments on this dog park idea.
View the entire notice here and come show up at the meetings to support a dog park in Pismo Beach.
March 18th, 2010
Dog Park Members Volunteer During KCBX Public Radio's Pledge Drive
Dog park members spent the the afternoon answering phones during KCBX Public Radio's pledge drive today. KCBX offerers non-commercial programing to the Central Coast and relies on donations from listeners to operate the station. The Five Cities Dog Park Association received recognition and Greg Perry was interviewed on the air during one of the breaks.
(Pictured from left to right: Guy Rathbun, KCBX Program Manager, Cynthia Eklund, Association President, Ray Quintana, member, Frank Lanzone, KCBX General Manager, Paul Severtson, KCBX Development Director, Greg Perry, member, and Trisha Coffey, member.
March 7th, 2010
Donor Recognition Kiosk Installed
Dog park donors are finally receiving long due recognition at the park. The donor kiosk has been installed outside the west entrance. Be sure to take a look and thank those people and business when you see them.
The kiosk will include the name of the park above the donor board. We are looking for a volunteer who has experience with custom wood lettering to help construct the name board. Click here for a sample of what we would like to have.
February 18th, 2010
Information Kiosk Project Completed
Boyscout Casey Storton has completed the installation of two information kiosks at the dog park. The project goes toward fulfilling Casey's Eagle Scout requirements.
Thank you Casey for working so hard to raise the money required to complete this project.
January 16th, 2010
Trees Donated to Park
Today, the Tree Guild of Arroyo Grande, along with several volunteers, planted seven trees in and around the Arroyo Grande Elm Street Off Leash Area. All of the trees and labor where made possible by a generous donation from the Tree Guild.
Planted were 2 Gum trees (outside the park), 2 Sycamores (large dog area), a Lobed-leaf Burgandy Liquid Amber, a Liquid Amber, and a Tulip tree (small dog area).
The trees will help beautify the park while providing much needed shade in the summer.
Thanks to all who showed up to help, including: Kristen Barneich (Tree Guild), Gary Scherquist, David Hirsch, Judy Hirsch, Chuck Fellows, Linda Fellows, Francesca Fairbrother, Zach Hall, Kari Hall, Anita Shower, Sean Pierce, Mika Pierce, Marylou Hessellund, Thorn Hessellund, Ella Pierce, Miranda Pierce, Hailey Barneich, Madison Barneich, and Chris Insalaco.
Go to the gallery to see more photos
Please Help. Donate Today.
The dog park is open, but much still needs to be done--including raising the rest of the money needed to pay for benches, trashcans, a kiosk, and other necessary items needed to maintain the park. Your donations and support are still needed. Please take a moment to send your donation to our address below or click the "Donate" button to the right. We have a recognition plan for donations of $100 and above.
Five Cities Dog Park Association/SLOPOST
P.O. Box 62
Pismo Beach, CA 93448
When you visit the park, please pay full attention to the posted rules, and help us out by making sure others are also following the rules. Informational flyers will be available to help those new to dog parks.
Be safe and have fun!
May 23rd, 2009
Five Cities Dog Park Association Officially Opens the Elm Street Off Leash Dog Park
Board members from the Five Cities Dog Park Association and City Officials met today in front of a large group of dog lovers and park supporters to commemorate the grand opening of the first official off leash dog park in the Five Cities.
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Attendees heard speeches from Arroyo Grande Mayor, Tony Ferrara, Parks and Recreation Manager, Doug Perrin, and Association President, Cynthia Eklund. All speakers thanked and congratulated those involved who spent close to four years planning and raising money to make the park a reality.
Eklund announced that donations are still needed to pay for the improvements which include fences, gates, trashcans, benches, mutt mitt dispensers, and other tools needed for ongoing maintenance.
Eklund was also recognized for her extrordinary efforts and vision by fellow board members who presented her with an engraved glass wine cooler and a bottle of champagne.
A "leash cutting" was then performed to proclaim the official opening of the park. Afterwards, attendees enjoyed the park with their dogs and met a number of vendors and sponsors that were present.
Visit the photo gallery to see pictures of the event.