As promised, Swift Run has re-opened for regular use. We dropped in this afternoon and it was nearly back to regular capacity so I imagine most people already realize this.
It looks like the parking lot got flatter, gravel was dumped on the sloping part of the entrance, a small trail of gravel was built along the fence by the entrance, the lowest spots were leveled off with dirt, grass seed was spread, straw was placed over seeded areas. I may have missed one or two things as well (more benches and poop stations?).
Enjoy!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
This Weekend - Walk And Wag
The Humane Society of Huron Valley is hosting the 29th annual Walk And Wag this weekend. It's a day of dog-oriented activities including a fund-raiser walk, agility demos, vendors, all kinds of god stuff.
When: Saturday May 17, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: County Farm Park - 2230 Platt Rd
What: A day of fun activities for people and dogs
If you want to participate in the walk, buy a raffle ticket, volunteer, or get any other information, go over to the Humane Society homepage.
When: Saturday May 17, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: County Farm Park - 2230 Platt Rd
What: A day of fun activities for people and dogs
If you want to participate in the walk, buy a raffle ticket, volunteer, or get any other information, go over to the Humane Society homepage.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Saline's Mill Pond Park OPEN
Saline has finally reopened the off-leash area at Mill Pond Park!
With Swift Run closing for maintenance on Monday, this will provide some relief.
For those that have never been there, Mill Pond is on W Bennett St just off Ann Arbor-Saline Rd on the north edge of Saline. For most in Ann Arbor, it is a little farther away than Swift Run, but not too far. The off-leash area is quite a bit simaller than Swift Run (around an acre) and it opens onto the river on one side. The river is great if your dog likes to swim, less great if your dog likes to escape or if you don't like your dog to get wet. No registration or membership required.
Also, don't forget that the Olson Park off-leash area will remain open during this time as well.
With Swift Run closing for maintenance on Monday, this will provide some relief.
For those that have never been there, Mill Pond is on W Bennett St just off Ann Arbor-Saline Rd on the north edge of Saline. For most in Ann Arbor, it is a little farther away than Swift Run, but not too far. The off-leash area is quite a bit simaller than Swift Run (around an acre) and it opens onto the river on one side. The river is great if your dog likes to swim, less great if your dog likes to escape or if you don't like your dog to get wet. No registration or membership required.
Also, don't forget that the Olson Park off-leash area will remain open during this time as well.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
May Closings At Swift Run
The Ann Arbor News carried a story today on the coming closures at Swift Run. The park will be closed from May 12 - May 21.
During this time, several improvements will be made including smoothing out the parking lot, putting gravel in the muddy entrance area, mulching around trees, and adding more waste stations.
The article doesn't mention re-opening the temporary dog park at Southeast Area Park, so I wouldn't count on it being available. As far as I know, Olson Park on the opposite side of town will be open, plus there is the Copper Leaf Crossing off-leash area on Ann Arbor-Saline Road. Unfortunately, Saline's Mill Pond Dog Park is also currently closed.
During this time, several improvements will be made including smoothing out the parking lot, putting gravel in the muddy entrance area, mulching around trees, and adding more waste stations.
The article doesn't mention re-opening the temporary dog park at Southeast Area Park, so I wouldn't count on it being available. As far as I know, Olson Park on the opposite side of town will be open, plus there is the Copper Leaf Crossing off-leash area on Ann Arbor-Saline Road. Unfortunately, Saline's Mill Pond Dog Park is also currently closed.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Enforcement
In addition to the buzz about pending temporary closures (see below), I'm also hearing rumors that enforcement of ordinances related to dogs are being stepped up. This rumor is not as well substantiated as it might be, but I have heard reports that Ann Arbor city police are now writing more tickets for off-leash violations in other parks.
The person who told me this also thought they were going to start monitoring Swift Run and Olson to be sure people have permits. So please be sure you have a permit and that you have it with you when you come to the Dog Park. It would be silly to get a ticket for playing in the legal off-leash area.
Information on obtaining a permit can be found here.
The person who told me this also thought they were going to start monitoring Swift Run and Olson to be sure people have permits. So please be sure you have a permit and that you have it with you when you come to the Dog Park. It would be silly to get a ticket for playing in the legal off-leash area.
Information on obtaining a permit can be found here.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Temporary Closings Coming to Swift Run
I have heard from a couple of sources now that Swift Run will be closed temporarily for "a couple of weeks" in mid-May. This will allow some maintenance including addition of gravel to the entryway, reseeding of grass in the muddy areas, and possibly the construction of a path around the perimeter of the park.
I do NOT have any official information about this and I don't know what other things might be done during this time, but both of the sources I heard this from are reliable. It looks like there will be an article in the AA News early next week about these plans, hopefully we'll get more details there.
As I understand it, Olson Park will remain open during this time so there will still be at least one legal off-leash area in the city. Also, there had been talk in the fall about using the temporary Southeast Area Park (the one that was available from September through November last year) when Swift Run has to close for maintenance. I have NOT heard either way whether that will be open in May...
Stay tuned.
I do NOT have any official information about this and I don't know what other things might be done during this time, but both of the sources I heard this from are reliable. It looks like there will be an article in the AA News early next week about these plans, hopefully we'll get more details there.
As I understand it, Olson Park will remain open during this time so there will still be at least one legal off-leash area in the city. Also, there had been talk in the fall about using the temporary Southeast Area Park (the one that was available from September through November last year) when Swift Run has to close for maintenance. I have NOT heard either way whether that will be open in May...
Stay tuned.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Action Item - Thank The City/County
The dogparks that the city and county opened this fall are a wonderful addition to our community... even if they are a bit overdue. Now that we have this resource, take some time to thank a city or county official.
You can use the links in the column on the right of this page that we used to advocate for these parks in the summer. Those are the people who made this happen, especially the Ann Arbor Parks Advisory Committee (PAC) and the good people at Ann Arbor Parks & Rec.
I know they are interested in public reactions, one of the reasons it took so long to get these off the ground was fear of public backlash. And more to the point, these folks worked very hard to make this happen and they deserve a pat on the back.
So from us here at Arbordogblog to all of the people who let this happen, here is a very belated public THANK YOU!!!
You can use the links in the column on the right of this page that we used to advocate for these parks in the summer. Those are the people who made this happen, especially the Ann Arbor Parks Advisory Committee (PAC) and the good people at Ann Arbor Parks & Rec.
I know they are interested in public reactions, one of the reasons it took so long to get these off the ground was fear of public backlash. And more to the point, these folks worked very hard to make this happen and they deserve a pat on the back.
So from us here at Arbordogblog to all of the people who let this happen, here is a very belated public THANK YOU!!!
Olson Dog Park OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!
In addition to Swift Run, Olson Park now has an enclosed off-leash play area. (Here is info on Olson Park with a map link.) It is not quite as large as Swift Run, but my dogs have had some big fun and exercise there.
Where:
Olson Park
Northeast corner of DhuVarren and Pontiac Trail
When:
Regular Park Hours
What:
One Acre of Doggie Bliss
Permits:
Handled the same way as Swift Run (All-access (pink) passes valid for both parks)
Where:
Olson Park
Northeast corner of DhuVarren and Pontiac Trail
When:
Regular Park Hours
What:
One Acre of Doggie Bliss
Permits:
Handled the same way as Swift Run (All-access (pink) passes valid for both parks)
Sift Run Dog Park OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!!
Hopefully most of you have figured this out by now, but in late November, the city of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw county officially opened the Swift Run Dog Park.
Location:
Southwest corner of Platte and Ellsworth Roads, behind Ann Arbor Transfer Station.
Hours:
Daylight Hours
Requirements:
Permit tag available at Ann Arbor City Hall or Washtenaw County
Fun:
TONS!!!
To register, you will need proof of vaccinations (rabies), a license from the city, county, or another municipality, paperwork for altered dogs, and a little money. All of the specifics can be found here.
If you haven't been yet, you're really missing out. This is a huge facility and very well-done. Hope to see you there this weekend!
Location:
Southwest corner of Platte and Ellsworth Roads, behind Ann Arbor Transfer Station.
Hours:
Daylight Hours
Requirements:
Permit tag available at Ann Arbor City Hall or Washtenaw County
Fun:
TONS!!!
To register, you will need proof of vaccinations (rabies), a license from the city, county, or another municipality, paperwork for altered dogs, and a little money. All of the specifics can be found here.
If you haven't been yet, you're really missing out. This is a huge facility and very well-done. Hope to see you there this weekend!
LONG Overdue Update
I must sincerely apologize to everybody out there. I took a new job in September and it completely overwhelmed my life. 5 hours of commuting and 60-80 hour workweeks are not a good thing for anybody. Still I should have been updating. I'm going to post a couple of quick updates today, but I am unlikely to resume regular posting. Consider this a general apology.
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