Omaha Dog Park Advocates
April 8, 2015
Swanson Library 6:00 p.m.
Present – Lynne Newlin, D’Ann Lonowski, Jim Kee; Mary Gibilisco, Christine Galusha; Jody Blakely, Ed
Sirkorski, Mickey Merriam , Melissa Shapiro, Linda Sinkevich, Bonnie Price, Therese Pogge.
Hanscom - No one who frequents this park attended the meeting, but Jim did speak to the parks
department. Their goal is to fertilize the side with grass so that it would be open by May. Then close the
side that is currently open, seed it and two months later open that side and close the other. They’d like to
see if two months off will allow more grass to stay.
Hefflinger – The city is going to start closing the dog parks (Hanscom too) due to park conditions – like
too muddy. The city will make signs directing people where to go for information on why park is closed.
The signs will direct people to our Facebook page because more board members have the ability to
update Facebook. The city will text info@omahadogparks.org to notify the board they are closing the
parks. Jim said they would get those signs up in a timely manner as opposed to the Petiquette sign which
Jim said the city will hire out and Dennis Byers has yet to let Jim know when they will be installed.
We do not know if we can have the event on the small dog sides because the city hasn’t decided when
they are going to seed. Jim will be meeting with soil scientists next Friday to test the dog park to see how
to keep plants alive. We’d like to have pine trees on the outside of the fence, but want to choose the
correct ones based on soil composition. Jim said we should wait to plant the trees until the city decides
what they are going to do with the road that runs by Hefflinger. We’d prefer to wait until the road
construction is done before planting trees.
The city had a request by someone who wants to hold an off leash obedience class at the dog park. The
parks department schedules events and we have little say. Jim expressed his concerns to the trainer, but
figured her day of Friday at 11 was fine. They she changed the day to Saturdays. Her class is to begin this
Saturday, April 11th on the Small dog Side. Jim has posted a notice on the information board (not that
anyone reads the board). The day of our event, the class will be moved to Sunday at the same time.
Spring Bark in the Park - About 30 people are pre-registered thus far. 30 vendors too. Chicago Dawg &
402 BBQ are the food vendors. One vendor, VCA Corp only paid ½, the local people will not return phone
calls and have not paid their half. So we are cashing the check and setting aside a spot just in case they
show up. We are getting good raffles like Season Tickets to Creighton women Soccer and Men’s Baseball.
A Dog bed designed as a n Radio Flyer wagon. Sergeants is giving us a food bundle instead of a toy for the
goodie bags. Come Sit Stay have provided 200 bags which we will use as the premium goodie bags.
Premium bags will contain all of the items donated for the goodie bag and will go to those who preregistered. Any left overs will be handed out to those who did not pre-register. Any extra items for the
goodie bags will go into other bags we have and be handed out at the gate. Linda will work with several
churches on the schedule for blessing of the animals as another form of entertainment. Christine said
she’ll ask Deb the progress of a picture of what our goals are.
Grants – Once we know what is happening with the road surrounding Hefflinger, Jody will apply for
grants for trees
Old Business – It is a go for the Eagle Scout to build 3 benches for Hefflinger. They want us to chip in for
some of these expenses. We believe the Eagle Scout should be applying for the grants, not us, as that is
part of the task of an Eagle Scout. His brother would like to do another 3 benches next year.
New Business - April 12th from 11 to 4 Pets in Omaha are having a Rescue event at the Ralston Event
Center. We are trading booth space with them so we need to man a table from 11 to 4.
Mary Gibilisco, Jim Kee, Jody Blakely will be there all day. Jeff will be in later in the afternoon.