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First Park Clean-Up of the Year

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Events /

Join the KPDC Poo Crew for Our First Park Clean-Up of the Year

 

The recent Winnipeg Network of Dog Owner Groups survey indicated that KPDC members’ number one concern is the accumulation of feces in the park.  Dog feces transmit diseases and parasites.

In response to requests from many of you, Kilcona Park Dog Club Board is increasing the number of park clean-up events to address the problem.

KPDC will be holding the first park clean-up of the year next Saturday, March 2, from 1 to 3pm.

The clean-up will focus on the worst areas – around the parking lot, the dog play area and baseball field, and along the north/south service road from the parking lot to the north ponds.

The annual spring clean-up, which covers the entire park is still two months away but the heavy accumulation of feces in high traffic areas warrants extra attention now, before the snow melts.

Winnipeg has already seen 50 per cent more snow fall this winter than last, 10 centimetres more than we normally sees in a winter season, and more is on the way. The extra layers of snow, with their hidden layers of “buried treasure” will be a dangerously unpleasant concern when temperatures begin to rise.

The spring thaw always makes for muddy trails, but muddy, poopy trails create a serious health risk when our dogs clean their own feet.

Please bring shovels or hand tools and grocery bags. We have rubber gloves for volunteers who want them. Kilcona Park staff have donated large collector garbage bags and will be on hand to transport them to the waste depot.

Help make Kilcona the cleanest, safest dog park in Winnipeg. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Director of Events, Wayne L’Esperance, at events@kilconaparkdogclub.ca.

 

Donna Henry

President – Kilcona Park Dog Club Inc.

 

New Rules for KPDC’s Corporate Sponsorship Program

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Information /

New Rules for KPDC’s Corporate Sponsorship Program

Veterinary hospitals and businesses that participate in Kilcona Park Dog Club’s Corporate Sponsorship Program provide us with valuable financial support. Our Platinum and Gold sponsors’ enrollment fees fund important stewardship initiatives, improvements to Kilcona Dog Park, and education programs that benefit dogs and dog owners alike.

Our valued sponsors also provide significant benefits to KPDC members by offering discounts on products and services. To protect our sponsors and the integrity of the program, the Board is announcing the following change to the Terms and Conditions of the Corporate Sponsorship Program.

Your membership card must be presented to the cashier before the eligible purchase transaction is completed. Sponsors will make no exceptions. Sales staff may know a customer but they have no way of knowing if the customer is a KPDC member who is entitled to a discount unless you show you membership card.

To participate in the program you must be a KPDC member in good standing for the period November 1, 2012 to October 31, 2013. If your membership has lapsed, you can become a KPDC member by stopping in at Pet Valu, either the Reenders or Rivergrove location, completing an application form and presenting a valid picture ID.

A Pet Valu sales associate will issue a membership card for you to sign. You can start receiving discounts at participating sponsors immediately. Membership cards are not transferable and may only be redeemed by individual members. Please advise the Director of Membership, Tanya Hirsch, of any changes to your personal information (name, address, and e-mail address) by emailing membership@kilconaparkdogclub.ca.)

Please note: Some people have tried to obtain discounts at other Pet Valu stores in the city. The Reenders and Rivergrove Pet Valu locations are exclusive Platinum Sponsors, offering a 10% discount on most items.  Members will not receive discounts at any other Pet Valu locations.

Donna Henry

President – Kilcona Park Dog Club Inc.

City to Develop Master Plan for Kilcona Park

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Information /

City to Develop Master Plan
for Kilcona Park

Setting the Direction for the Next Decade

 

Two years ago KPDC’s Board of Directors met with the City Councillors for North Kildonan, Transcona and Elmwood, and City administrators to draw attention to a number of serious park management issues. KPDC’s Board requested that the City develop a master plan to address the concerns, which included among other things:

• increasing the size of the off-leash area to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of users
• repairing and upgrading badly damaged trails
• creating shelter belts by planting more trees
• reducing user conflict and increasing safety around the dog play area by relocating the toboggan hill

The City recently announced it has allotted $200,000 in this year’s budget to fund a master plan for Kilcona and Harbourview. The plan will identify short and long term strategies for the park for the next 10 to 20 years.

Kilcona’s aging infrastructure requires significant investment, however resources are limited. KPDC is just one of the stakeholder groups competing for these limited resources.

A formal Stakeholder Group has been established to provide input and prioritize corrective measures and improvements for the park. The Stakeholder Group is made up of representatives of key park user groups including dog walkers, runners, golfers, and cross country track, soccer and baseball teams.

Manitoba Association of Disc Sports (MODS), Perfect Circle Flying Club, Transcona Trails Association, National Cycling Association, MB Paddling Association, Bike to the Future, and Athletics MB are represented on the committee, as are immediate neighbours and businesses, residents’ associations, nearby churches and community centres, interest groups, recreation organizations, regional health authorities and elected officials.

As your representative on the Stakeholder Committee, I encourage you participate in the consultation process. It’s important for each of us, as a member of Kilcona’s largest year-round user group, to take the time to the express our views about the off-leash area if we wish the City to consider dog owners’ wants and needs as priorities and incorporate them in the master plan.

Please send your comments to the Kilcona Park/Harbourview Recreation Complex Strategic Renewal and Action Plan comment board at http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/planning/KilconaParkHarbourviewRecreationComplex/default.stm

Your comments will be made available to the consultant team and stakeholders, and will be compiled as part of the final report. Please check the website for further details, including the date and location for the Public Open House, scheduled for late April, 2013. If you would like more information, please contact me at president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca.