Puptown

Puptown T-Shirts - Join the Pack

We unveiled these t-shirts last month at the Puptown Membership Kick-Off, and they were such a hit we're making them available at every park clean-up.

The cost is only $15, and all proceeds benefit the park. Cash or check welcomed.

Just come by the park between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on cleaning days -- every other Saturday -- and pick up a shirt in your size (extra love if you also pick up a rake!).

Upcoming summer cleaning dates include: June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23. For a full schedule through October, click here.

Not only does the logo make a hip statement, but the t-shirts are 100-percent organic cotton and the manufacturing is both socially and environmentally responsible.

Purina Awards Puptown $2,500 Grant for New Fencing

We're thrilled to announce that Purina Dog Chow has awarded Puptown Dog Owners Group a $2,500 grant to install a barrier to prevent small dogs and puppies from escaping through the fence.

Grant recipients will be announced in Times Square on the Reuters/NASDAQ Digital Tower Billboards between Thursday, June 19 at 5 a.m. CST and 1 a.m. Friday, June 20. You can watch online -- during or after the live broadcast.

Purina received dozens of proposals from dog park organizations across the United States. Purina said that Puptown, with its active membership, was one of the few that demonstrated an ability to responsibly designate the funds.

We are working with a landscaper to develop a solution that is both effective and consistent with the aesthetics of our beautiful city parks. Our proposal will then have to be reviewed and approved by the Park District. We will share the timeline with you as soon as we have it.

Want to learn more about the fencing and other Puptown projects? Come to the July 9 meeting at Margate Park field house at 7 p.m.

Puptown Reviews at Yelp

It's recently come to our attention that Puptown has received a bunch of really great reviews at Yelp -- check 'em out here.

And thanks to everyone who left comments! It's great to see what people (and dogs) enjoy most at the park and ways we can improve the park experience for everyone.

Puptown Receives Non-Profit Status, Membership Now Tax-Deductible

As of April 1, Puptown entered into a relationship with Parkways Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Chicago Park District. As such, Puptown may operate through Parkways' status as a nonprofit organization.

This has several important implications:

1) All annual membership fees paid since Jan. 1, 2008 are now tax-deductible. Upon paying your $30 membership, you will receive documentation for your tax records. Memberships are key -- they provide the support for operating the park.

2) All other direct and in-kind donations will also be tax-deductible, allowing us to leverage more donations from individuals, associations, foundations and area businesses. If you would like to suggest a prospective donor, please email Ellen Szalinski.

3) We will be able to initiate improvements to the park. P-DOG is developing a long-term plan for Puptown that we will share with all park users for comments and suggestions. We welcome all input at info AT puptown.org. Stay tuned!

How can you help? Please pay or renew your annual membership today by credit card, PayPal or check. Please note that our memberships are now aligned with the dog park tag period which runs from Jan. 1-Dec. 31.

As always, we appreciate your support of Puptown!

Dale Lenig
President
Puptown Dog Owners Group

P-DOG Meeting Wednesday, April 9

The Puptown Dog Owners Group will hold its next quarterly meeting on Wednesday, April 9 at the Margate Park field house, just north of Puptown. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and refreshments will be served. (Sorry, no dogs permitted inside the field house.)

We'll be discussing a number of issues, including long-range planning for the park, fundraising and upcoming events. And there's an open forum, with ample opportunity for all to participate. We need new, fresh ideas!

Please email Ellen if you plan to attend so we can get a head count for refreshments.

Puptown's Quarterly Meeting

On Sunday, Feb. 10, at 3 p.m., join us at T's Restaurant on Clark and Winnemac.

We'll be conducting a board meeting first, and then seeking input on various topics, including future improvements/expansion of the park, increasing membership and participation on cleaning days, and future fundraising activities. We'll probably be there at least 90 minutes.

T's has been very generous to us with raffle prizes, and they are incredibly accommodating to doggie diners on their patio -- something to look forward to this summer!

Puptown Dog Owners Group: Meeting Oct. 10

The Puptown Dog Owners Group (P-DOG) will meet Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Margate Field House. The meeting is open to everyone; you don't have to be a member to attend.

In addition to discussing park-related maintenance and other issues, the meeting will focus on two priorities:

- Elections to fill vacant Puptown Advisory Council positions: President and Secretary

- Discuss Puptown's annual Howl-O-Ween, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007

Howl-O-Ween is Puptown's biggest annual event and fundraiser. In 2006, dozens of dogs and their owners participated in the costume contest (check out the photos!), with prizes donated by local pet stores and services, as well as by area restaurants and other businesses.

This year, Howl-O-Ween is shaping up to be an even bigger success. Please attend the meeting if you are interested in learning more or volunteering. Here's what's needed:

Before Howl-O-Ween:
- Sell raffle tickets
- Procure donations for raffle and costume prizes
- Procure donations for treat bags
- Help to promote Howl-O-Ween

Day of Event:
- Clean park
- Set up/take down decorations
- Membership table

Can't make the meeting, but want to get involved? We want to hear from you! Email John Lenti at info@Puptown.org. Thanks!

Organizational Meeting on July 11 - Everyone is Welcome

You are encouraged to attend an organizational meeting of the Puptown Dog Owners Group (P-DOG) this Wednesday, July 11, at 7 p.m. inside the Margate Field House, which is located just north of the dog park at 4921 Marine Dr.

 

We will be discussing the present needs of the dog park as well as setting longer-terms goals.  Everyone is welcome to bring their own concerns.

 

If you haven't already, don't forget to become a member of a Puptown.

Puptown Cleaning Schedule

During the Spring, Summer and Fall, volunteers meet every other Saturday morning to disinfect the park, shovel the pea gravel and add replacement fill. A 10% solution of bleach is used on all surfaces.

Cleaning starts at 8 a.m., and we're usually done before 10 a.m. New volunteers are always welcomed -- Come join us, and bring your dog! There's plenty of room for dogs to play while we work.

For 2007, the cleaning schedule is: April 21, May 5, May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, September 8, September 22.

We are still looking for leaders for the following dates: May 19, June 2, June 16, July 28, August 11, August 25, and September 22.  You need no special skills to be a leader.  All you have to do is show up one of the preceding weeks to learn the ropes.  Please e-mail Tommy if you are interested.

The Puptown Dog Owners Group is grateful to Soggy Paws for providing coffee and doughnuts each week.

Organizational Meeting on April 11

You are encouraged to attend an organizational meeting of the Puptown Dog Owners Group (P-DOG) this Wednesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. inside the Margate Field House, which is located just north of the dog park at 4921 Marine Dr.

 

We will be discussing the present needs of the dog park -- such as fixing the water leak, replacing the shed, purchasing a display/bulletin board for the park, and setting a clean-up schedule for the spring and summer months -- as well as setting longer-terms goals.  Everyone is welcome to bring their own concerns.

 

If you haven't already, don't forget to become a member of a Puptown.

Organizational Meeting on January 10

You are encouraged to attend an organizational meeting of the the Puptown Dog Owners Group (P-DOG) on Wednesday, January 10, at 7:00 p.m. inside the Margate Field House, which is located just north of the dog park at 4921 Marine Dr.

We will be discussing the present needs of the dog park -- such as purchasing a new toolshed and coordinating the delivery of more pea gravel -- as well as looking to the future and longer-term projects.  Everyone is welcome to bring their own concerns.

If you haven't already, don't forget to become a member of a Puptown.

And don't forget to RSVP for the indoor play dates P-DOG has organized at The Barking Lot in January and February.

Puptown Invites You and Your Dog to Get Out of the Cold

Puptown Dog Owners Group (P-DOG) has arranged two play dates this winter inside the warm and friendly confines of The Barking Lot.  You and your dog(s) are cordially invited!

The first play date is coming up Jan. 13, 2007, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., at Barking Lot's new Wicker Park location at 1616 N. Washtenaw in West Bucktown/Wicker Park. *Please remember to bring proof of rabies, distemper and bordatella vaccines.

Because of anticipated high demand, we are asking everyone interested to RSVP to Tommy O'Connor and let him know which of the two hours you will be coming.

This way we can be sure to accomodate as many dog owners as possible without leaving anyone out in the cold.

Puptown members get in free. Everyone else will be asked to pay $5. To become a member of Puptown, it's only $25 and all the money goes to maintaining and improving the park. Click here to join online or print out a membership form.

The second play date will be on Feb. 10, 2007, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Barking Lot's Irving Park location at 2442 W. Irving Park Road.

See you at the park or "The Lot."!

Mad Props to the Shovelers!

A big thanks to Brendan, a Puptown member, for shoveling the snow in the park last week! Fluffy white stuff may be fun for dogs for a day or so, but if it freezes it becomes a real hazard.

Speaking of, the low temperatures did cause ice patches to form, but fortunately someone stepped up and spent a good amount of time breaking up the ice. Unfortunately, we don't know who to thank, but that hard work was much appreciated! If anyone knows who is responsible, please drop a comment below.