Letter from N.D.G. Dog Park dated April 6, 2002

Greetings,

I have come upon your site as a result of my research into dog owners associations in and around the City of Montreal.

Further explanation is required : I am a dog owner that frequents the Notre-Dame-de-Grace dog run in Girouard park. (Visit our start-up website ).

Back in the month of November, the city came to remove the park benches within the dog run in the belief that this will encourage dog owners not to stay in the dog run too long. This in effect was the spark that set off a wake-up call with the users of the dog run. The dog run was under threat of being closed. In effect, the relationship between dog run users, local residents and the City was so poor, that it was only a matter of time before actions were taken to have it dismantled and closed. To make a long story short, a meeting with our incumbent City Councilor (Mr. Marcel Tremblay) was held in the park in which it was clearly stated that the fate of the park is in large part rested in the hands of its users. It was correctly stated at the time that the dog run was dirty, noisy and many of it’s users had complete disregard for the local community. A second general meeting was set up to elect a board or committee that would address the issue at hand. Being part of that committee, I can report that some fairly good progress has been achieved. Lines of communication have been re-established with the City and local home owners association, and a genuine effort is being made by most of the dog run user. Unfortunately the cloud of uncertainty still lingers as to whether the run will stay open.

Now I come to the reason for this letter. The self-policing and management of the dog run can and will be accomplished by its membership: It’s only a question of persistence and cooperation. However, cooperation from the city is essential as well, particularly within areas such as park maintenance and improvement. Not only for the dog run users, but also to help in areas that would be beneficial to local home owners as well (i.e., shrubs and trees to deaden noise, gravel to keep the dust and odors down, etc.). It is very early in the game for us, and discussions are still ongoing, however, the city seems at this moment to be unable or unwilling to provide any assistance in improving the grounds.

First off, I was wondering what level of cooperation you are having with your local politicians? Has the City provided any concrete support in the maintenance of your dog run? What form did it take? Do you have specific knowledge of which individuals are "Pro dog run" within the municipal government? What level of cooperation would you say you have with local residents?

Right now, dog run associations throughout Montreal seem to be islands onto themselves. Solitary voices with little weight when it comes to having its requests heard. If a particular dog runs is able to obtain some measure of cooperation and assistance from the city, should it not be applicable to all other dog runs as well? And if individual dog run associations do not get any cooperation from the City at all, should it not be a consideration to act in unison with other dog run associations to have our voices heard? It would be extremely beneficial to all dog owners in general and dog run users in particular, if such a cooperative atmosphere existed, informally or (preferably) formally. I was wondering if you were aware if there was a channel of communication amongst the dog run associations that allows an exchange of information, ideas and, should the need arise, requests from the city? Failing this, is, are you aware of a website in which Montreal dog run associations are listed, as well as a means to communicate with them?

I look forward to any information or thoughts you may have. Until then, I wish you a good day.

Regards,

Stephen Pinder