Month: March 2015

“Pet” Project – Dog Park

Posted on by ktrauger@rof.net

We love our pets! While I have been out knocking on doors and visiting with people throughout Glenwood, one thing is clear . . . folks in Glenwood love our critters.   That was abundantly clear to me this morning as I took a stroll along the Rio Grand Trail.  Lots of pooches and their two-legged pals were enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

I am no exception to the critter craze.  My household currently consists of two dogs, a Goldendoodle (a stray that found us)  and a Cairn Terrier mix (a rescue) , three cockatiels and a green-cheek Amazon parrot. Not too long ago it also included two cats and an African Grey parrot.  Sadly my two cats departed for the rainbow bridge at the ages of 15 & 17.  My African Grey was a victim of the listeria outbreak a few years ago.  He loved fruit and cantaloupe was a wonderful treat.

In most households, my knock on the door is met with at least one “dog alarm” letting their owner know someone is there.  One of my opponents has said he will advocate for a dog park for our furry friends – a noble cause. From a photo I have seen, it looks like he may have a Cairn Terrier as well. I am sure he realizes that Glenwood has a dog park and dog run along the Rio Grand Trail, just south of the high school. Playing in the park

Is this ideal? No – for a number of reasons but three that are important. 

Access: To get to this park you must walk along the Rio Grande trail. There is limited parking across from the High School football field and the access is not great. This could be a problem if you are disabled.

Services: Apparently there is no water and no shade.  According to Tom Barnes, Glenwood Springs’ Parks and Recreation Director, the soil is very poor in that  area, making growing trees or grass difficult.  I only saw one lonely park bench for pet parents, in the middle of the play area for the larger dogs.Human amenities

Security:  Because it is along the trail there is no one nearby to monitor the activity in this area. In some areas the fence appears to have holes or gaps that could allow escape.

According to Mr. Barnes, the park site was based on citizen advocates and funded by the city in conjunction with donation of time and materials. He mentioned, and I agree that there are probably better options. He noted health concerns with pets that are not properly vaccinated and cared for.   

Dogs saying goodbyeSo what part does the city have in fixing this problem, particularly when the budget is tight and  needs are high?  Should this be a priority? Mr. Barnes indicated a willingness to work with community members to find better options. This is not an ideal place for this park and we and our fuzzy companions would probably be better served if this park were in another location that was more accessible and could be better monitored. But, again, the city is under very tight budget constraints and where does this fit in?

Mr. Barnes stated “Change does not take time, it takes commitment”.  It is going to take commitment from pet advocates, dog owners, and businesses to make such a change happen. 

My suggestion is that the Parks and Recreation Commission, along with the Parks and Rec Department and a representative local veterinarian and three interested citizens/businesses determine three viable alternatives for this park.  The fourth alternative is to leave it where it is and do nothing at this time. From that, Council will make a decision after hearing public input.

The criteria for selection and final determination should include a brief SWOT analysis, resource requirements from the city (money, personnel and equipment), availability to water and electric, potential for shade, access to the site and access and location within the city, security and a committed volunteer group or sponsor to not only help build, but maintain and monitor this park. This is not an outside study. This is a brief 2-3 hour exercise.

I would recommend looking for sponsorships for ongoing funding for this park.  Those could come from national organization such as Purina, Petco, or local businesses such as veterinarian offices, Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE), HighTails or Shaggy Dog. This is a unique opportunity for a truly public/private partnership.  Perhaps some budding or existing entrepreneur or group would be willing to partner with the City for an adjacent doggie daycare facility and could serve as monitoring agent.

The possibilities are endless and from my wanderings around town, it is apparent that we in Glenwood Springs  love our dogs. You may have other suggestions on our dog park and if so, I would love to hear them.  The bottom line is that the City cannot do this alone particularly when there are so many other pressing needs.  It seems there are enough dog lovers that truly want this.  If so, then it will take some creative thought and commitment. With that commitment and a public/private partnership, we could have a world-class dog park. It is all about creating places that people (and their pets) want to be!

Addressing Homelessness Glenwood Springs!

Posted on by ktrauger@rof.net
Homeless 2

Paul Wilm, Veteran. Photo by Christopher Mullen / Post Independent

Joe Mollica asked a valid question in a recent Letter to the Editor in a the Glenwood Post Independent. I have to say that Ward 1 candidate Steve Davis gave a much better response during the Issues and Answers night than I.  This is not an issue simply of homelessness.  As Steve pointed out, for some, this is a lifestyle choice.  For others, like some veterans it is the result of circumstances beyond their control. And for others it is due to mental illness. 

Steve Carcaterra who was the director of Lift Up at the time,  was among the first to recognize the severity of the problem in Glenwood and from that  evolved the Extended Table which continues at the First United Methodist Church.  My children and I cooked, served, and did clean up detail for  a number of years when this program was in its infancy. While my focus has changed, my understanding of the need in this area has not.

Homeless 1

Homeless. By Dmitry G (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The photo of Paul Wilm, above, was from a Glenwood Post Independent article last November addressing the homeless issue. However, to address this issue completely, we must also address another significant issue within our community.  That issue is mental illness.  A year ago I penned a column for the Glenwood Post Independent titled You Are Not Alone.  The Glenwood Post has since provided numerous columns including some from Publisher Michael Bennett on the ravages of mental illness.

Here are some facts from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

  • One in four adults experiences mental illness in a given year. One in 17 people live with serious mental illness like schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder.
  • Approximately 20 percent of youth ages 13-18 experience severe mental disorders in a given year. For kids ages 8-15, about 13 percent experience a severe mental disorder.
  • About 60 percent of adults and 50 percent of children and youths with mental illness have received no mental health services in the past year.
  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death — more common than homicide — and the third leading cause of death for those in the 15-24 year range.
  • Veterans represent 20 percent of suicides nationally. Each day about 22 veterans die by suicide.

Like it or not, the issues are related.  But Mr. Mollica is asking for solutions. The City certainly has some responsibility but little money.   Currently the City earmarks over $140, 000 in discretionary funding for grants.  Much of the grant money goes to organizations like the Salvation Army, Feed My Sheep and Catholic Charities.  Could it do more?  

Homeless 3

Cooter by  Kelley Cox Post Independent 2008

Developing public/private partnerships and relationships to effect change is critical. Most of the homeless population, including those suffering from mental illness, range throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.  A start might be a regional group including Aspen Hope, Mindsprings, NAMI,  Veterans Administration, Valley View Hospital, Aspen Valley Hospital, the counties and municipalities coming together to get three critical facilities done:  1) a detox facility 2) an inpatient facility specializing in mental illness and 3) an emergency homeless shelter with access to help from Mindspring and/or Aspen Hope. 

The city cannot do this alone, nor should it.  But there is opportunity to make progress in this area one step at a time.  As usual, the issue is location.  I am not an advocate of this infrastructure being in downtown Glenwood, however, the issue of transportation must be considered. To house these facilities in Glenwood’s core is to invite conflict. 

Perhaps it is time to start these discussions.  Again, this is one area that we know that something is needed . . . so we don’t need a study or to hire an outside consultant.  We just need get the major players at a table, find a viable location, and get the show on the road.  It may need to be done in stages due to funding constraints.  But that should not keep Glenwood Springs, in cooperation with others, from moving forward!