Once again, the dog days of summer are upon us! We hope that you and your companions are enjoying the season, managing to keep cool and are taking in the activities available in our great community. In this month's issue, we'll be sharing some park updates as well as some events planned over the next little while.
Pooch Party was definitely a terrific kick-off to summer with a HUGE turnout and we are still receiving positive feedback from everyone involved. A special thanks once again to our presenting event sponsor and friend, Amber of Pet Valu, Richmond Hill North. Pictures of the day are posted at www.poochparty.ca and a link to a full article is further down in the newsletter. If you have some pictures of Pooch Party you'd like to share, we'd love to see them! Email them to info@poochparty.ca. We had a great time and you can be sure we'll be doing this again next year!
First of all, let us update everyone on Tower Hill Park as well as park #2. The week before Pooch Party, a couple members of the board met with parks department staff and planning officials to scope out some potential dog park locations within Phyllis Rawlinson Park. We gave them some feedback on size, terrain, parking access etc. A couple of areas are under review and we are told that a preliminary plan and draft budget could be available for Council presentation in the fall. Keep an eye on our website as we'll post further info and pictures as they come available. We would like everyone's feedback and if there is something you'd like to see in the new park, this is the time for suggestions!
There have been rumors floating around that the K9 Klub has given up in its fight to keep Tower Hill Park open. From a political standpoint we have to respect our Council's decision and although we don't agree with it, we are their partners in the future and we are moving ahead with the cards we have been dealt. The Richmond Hill K9 Klub is a community service organization and not a political lobby in the strict sense.
Saying that however, we know that our membership and community following carries a powerful political voice. Therefore we were extremely pleased to hear that members of our community have stood up to the challenge to save Tower Hill Park and are rapidly organizing with the goal of having Council to overturn its decision to close Tower Hill Park when the new park is opened. The group is called T.H.O.R. and they can be found at www.savetowerhillpark.ca. Many of you may already have seen their petition and signed one (we understand a good number of full page petitions have been received already!). They are available at Rick's Global Pet Foods across from the park, Eva's Global Pet Foods on Major Mackenzie and at Amber's new Pet Valu location on Yonge in the Longo's Plaza. The Klub strongly encourages you to get involved!
Speaking of community service, the Klub is forming a team to walk with our pooches in the annual Terry Fox run this year on Sunday September 18th at 8am in Oak Ridges. We would love to see a huge turnout from our dog community to support this very worthy cause. You can start by registering online now and joining or sponsoring our team: Team Page We'll send out more info in the next couple of weeks on how to get a T-Shirt etc. If you'd like to help organize the team, please drop us an email: info@rhk9klub.ca.
Also coming up soon is a new activity we hope will catch-on as we could all use a little more exercise! Fido Fit Walks, utilizing the Saigeon Trail by the park, will start at 10am every Sunday at the Tower Hill Park entrance. We will be announcing full details in the next couple of weeks and start when the temperature is just a little cooler.
Lastly, we can always use help at our monthly park clean sweep this Sunday, July 31 at 11am. Just meet at the park entrance with gloves and we'll walk the area picking up garbage and giving the park a good once over for rogue poops and other hazards. This never takes too long and the more bodies we have the quicker it goes!
See you at the park!
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