Volunteers Keep Fitler’s Dog Park Running Without City Funds
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Volunteers Keep Fitler’s Dog Park Running Without City Funds
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Volunteers Keep Fitler’s Dog Park Running Without City Funds
Whether you have a dog or not, chances are high that you’ve spent time enjoying the dog park at Schuylkill River Park. Its elevated viewing path and large, lively play area offer entertainment for dogs, their humans, and those just passing by.
With no city funding or administrative support, it falls to a dedicated group of volunteers to manage repairs and maintenance, and to chart a course for the future.
Sandy Abdelmalek, who lives in Fitler Square with her two-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, Charlie, is the main liaison between the neighborhood group Friends of Schuylkill River Park (FSRP) and FSRP’s dog park sub-board. Taryn Bartolotta and Robbie Fletcher also volunteer as co-leads of the dog park sub-board.
Together they raise funds, coordinate maintenance, perform community outreach, and plan for the future of the city’s largest and most highly regarded dog park.
Near-Term Agenda
The group is currently focused on a few near-term infrastructure projects, the first of which, repairing the mangled turf, was completed in early February.
Over the years, the turf had become torn up, creating a safety hazard for dogs and humans alike. Dogs would chew and further tear up the turf, creating a downward spiral where the turf got worse and worse.
The turf repair cost $10,000. About $3,500 came from word-of-mouth donations, and FSRP graciously pitched in the remainder, according to Abdelmalek.
But this “patch and repair is only going to last us, at most, a year,” Abdelmalek said. “This really was a band aid for us.” The more durable solution is a full replacement of the turf. But with quotes coming in at $160,000 to $200,000, that long term fix will depend on robust community financial support.
Another issue is dogs leaping over the west retaining wall, where dog owners often sit to watch their pets play. The area behind this short wall has heavy tree cover and cannot be easily cleaned or maintained, so it accumulates dog waste and mud. When dogs run through it, they can become dirty or injured. The board aims to install fencing behind the retaining wall to keep dogs safely out of this area.
Funding
To achieve these goals, the dog park board requires funds. Many patrons of the dog park are unaware that the city provides no funding whatsoever. All financial support comes from individual donations or from FSRP.
One way the board has tried to attract sustained donations is by offering memberships, which cost $75 annually. The group also solicits and accepts ad-hoc donations at their website.
However, the board’s main fundraising goal is to land corporate sponsorships. It will be near impossible to fund the maintenance and improvement programs through individual, ad-hoc donations, Abdelmalek said. “We really need to try to engage local retailers and corporate sponsorships” that want to make a big difference in their local communities.
Vision for the Future
Beyond physical infrastructure, Abdelmalek dreams of building up a community around the dog park. This community would not only provide a social outlet, but it could also benefit neighborhood families in broader ways.
One such way would be to provide financial support to dog owners in crisis. “We talked about times [when] people don't have the funds to deal with a tragic issue,” Abdelmalek said. “Could we siphon some of the money we raise from donations to individuals in need? That could help subsidize [pet] medical bills, for example.”
Message to the Community
For now, Abdelmalek and the other Schuylkill River Dog Park volunteers have a simple list of ways that neighbors can help sustain the dog park. The first is to donate financially. “Every little bit helps,” says Abdelmalek. “But it's not even just ‘donate’. Spread the word around the mission. Join the Facebook group. Join the board. Give us ideas. You never know. Someone might know some corporate sponsorship opportunities. The power of a community's voice can go a very long way.”
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We’re looking to bring more community voices into the (digital) pages of The Fitler Focus. If interested, reply to this email, or email us directly at fitlerfocus@substack.com with your ideas. Contributors are paid for their published pieces.
To spark your imagination, consider these prompts:
Inspiring Individuals: Do you know someone in the neighborhood with an interesting job or hobby, or who goes above-and-beyond for the community?
Local Business Spotlight: Is there a local business with a story that deserve to be told?
Historical Gems: Have you found a fascinating piece of history about your block?
Urban Concerns: Are there pressing city issues or overlooked matters in our neighborhood that you're eager to highlight?
Opinion Pieces: Do you have a Fitler-related opinion you’d like to explore?
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