Grand Opening Krepps Park

The Grand Opening was a great time for humans and dogs. Thanks to everyone who made the event such a success!

New Year, New Reasons to Wag

Although things at the MDOG blog have been quiet, the group has been busy working to bring improvements to the dog parks of Morgantown.

That's right, Dog Parks, as the last few months have seen major advances to the the area we had worked to clear and clean in preparation for the new dog park at Krepp's in Suncrest. Stop by and check it out! Just park by the Krepps Park Pavilion and follow the trail past it and through the trees.

With the "soft opening" of the new park, it was time to give Stanley's Spot a much needed rest, and close it for the winter so that BOPARC could bring in some topsoil and seed for grass and clover. The popularity of the downtown park resulted in a little too much wear and tear, leaving exposed soil that became susceptible to erosion. Hopefully we will soon see a soft green carpet instead! Please do your part to help Stanley's recover, and make sure to take your canine companion(s) to Krepps until Stanley's opens back up in the spring.

We have an exciting year coming up, with activities and events in the works. Stay tuned for more details as they become avilable!

Closer to the goal

Thanks to many generous contributors, the Who Do You Love? Valentine's fundraiser brought in nearly $2500!

This means that we are only $3500 away from the $11,500 total cost to install the fence at the new Krepps Park site. We are still accepting donations toward the project!

Who Do You Love?

Want to do something Special for that Special someone in your life this Valentine's Day? You know the one we're talking about: the one who always meets you at the door when you come home, the one who is always glad to see you no matter what your mood is, the one who will be faithful to the end. That's right, your beautiful, understanding and always loving companion... your dog!

Do something this Valentine's Day to really show your love. Help us give them a safe place to play, meet their friends and let you watch the fun.

There are 72.1 million dogs in the United States, and over 11 thousand registered in Monongalia County alone. It's our bet that not only do you have one of these wonderful companions, but that you know yours is the best of the lot, right? MDOG shares that love because all of us have one of the best ones as well.

MDOG, the Morgantown Dog Owners Group, are the volunteers who brought you Stanley's Spot off the Rail to Trail, West Virginia's first off leash dog park. It has been so successful, we really need to build a second one. We have the land within Krepp's Park in Suncrest. It's been groomed of unwanted debris, and all we need is your help to fence it and build the entrances.

Here's what you can do:

* You can support a cleanup station on the Rail to Trail or in one of our many beautiful parks for $350

* You can buy a 4x4 tile honoring your dog which will later be displayed in the new park for $25

* You can contribute to the cost of a bench in the park for you and your friends for $50

* You can support our purchase of a flowering tree to be planted in the spring for $150

* You can support our cause with a tax deductible donation in any amount

Or if you really want to do it up right, we will name the new dog park after a significant donor. Give the park a name that will last forever for only $5000 (contact us for more information).

Here is what you do. Print a copy of this message to send to the MDOG address above and check off how you want to support Morgantown's dogs. Include your check made payable to the Mon Valley Greenspace Coalition. Remember, it's tax deductible. If you have questions or need more information, contact us!

Thanks in advance for your consideration and keep all tails wagging on this Valentine's Day!

Cliff Harvey, President
cliff.harvey@mail.wvu.edu

Doodle Day Wrap Up

Doodle Day was a great success!

Chief organizer Margaret Atkins reports:

The weather was perfect and it would have been ard NOT to have had a good time. Those dogs are incredibly social, appealing and just plain fun to watch. We counted around 17-20 Doodles and probably 40 people - and nary a cros word, a snarl, growl or complaint amongst them. I wish all the world behaved as well.

Many thanks to Margaret and John Atkins, as well as all the other volunteers and visitors who came out to make this a great day!

Upcoming Events in October

Fall is coming and with it comes even more fun for you and your dog!

The Morgantown Dog Owner's Group is pleased to announce "Doodle Day" at Stanley's Spot on Sunday, October 14 from 10am to 12:30.

Don't know what a 'doodle is? They are a mixed breed dog, part of whose ancestry includes a poodle (where the -oodle comes from). First there were Labradoodles, but now there are GoldenDoodles too. (Some history of the breed.)

So, if you have a Doodle, or would like to see and meet some Doodles, come on down to Stanley's Spot on Sunday October 14 from 10am to 12:30.

For more information on Doodle Day, contact MDOG President Cliff Harvey.

If Doodle Day isn't your cup of kibble, you can still come on down to Marilla Park later that afternoon for the Mon River Trails Conservancy's "Tails for Trails" event.

Beginning at 2pm - registration from 1pm-2pm - Tails for Trails will hold a Dog Walk from Marilla Park to Stanley's Spot and back (approximately 2 mostly-flat, paved miles) on the Rail Trail. Important details:

* Pre-registration by October 7 is $7 per dog
* Registration after October 7 until the walk is $10 per dog
* All dogs must be leashed at all times, have license and vaccination
* No more than 2 dogs per walker, and no dogs "in heat"
* No aggressive animals (officials have the right to refuse participation)
* The Dog Walk will share the trail with other users - please walk on the right!

The first 50 dogs to register to participate will receive a PETCO neckerchief and "doggie bag" of surprises! Refreshments will be served at the walk's end in Marilla Park.

For more information, check www.montrails.org or contact ella@montrails.org.

CleanUp This Saturday!

From the president:

Don't forget the cleanup of Stanley's Spot next Saturday. You need gloves, rake for rocks, maybe a wheel barrow. Check with John Atkins for any other info. (atkins@csee.wvu.edu)

If you have a wheelbarrow to volunteer, please contact John Atkins and let him know you'll be bringing it!