Grab your leash and man and woman’s best friend or friends and head down to watch or join in. If you love dogs, don’t miss this one!

The Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park will be participating in the Spooky Pooch Parade this year on Sunday October 15th. Come dressed to impress in your Halloween best and join Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park as we march as a group in the 4th Annual Lakewood, Ohio Spooky Pooch Parade.

Look for the Lakewood Dog Park vendor booth at the Spooky Pooch Parade. Find us early to get your Dog Park Hoodie or t-shirt before they run out.

We will also have FREE popcorn! So make sure you swing by to say hello and have a snack.

If you are interested in walking the parade with your friends from the dog park, meet us at our booth before the parade steps off, and we will all march together.

12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Parade steps-off 2:00 p.m.
Meet behind Lakewood Center North Building in the park on St. Charles

From Lakewood Alive...
"The Spooky Pooch Parade is the largest Halloween Dog Parade from coast to coast"
1,000s of spectators will line the traffic-free main street of Lakewood, Ohio.
100's of dogs and owners will participate in costume.

It's the feel good event of the year! So come and SUPPORT FRIENDS OF THE LAKEWOOD DOG PARK !!! Let's show Lakewood our dog park SPIRIT!!!!!

And after the parade, don't forget about Barktoberfest benefiting All Dog's Heaven dog rescue in Lakewood!

Digger says...

The Lakewood Dog Park is anticipated to be closed on Wednesday and/or Thursday, September 28 and 29th until 5pm for the City of Lakewood for erosion repair. These closures will depend on weather and ground conditions.

Conditions are likely to be muddy for several days following repair work due to rain. Please plan your dog park trips accordingly. Also, please remember that if you show up to the park and it is closed or too muddy, the dog park is located at the trailhead of the gorgeous all purpose walking trail that winds through the Rocky River Reservation which could provide a nice alternative activity for you and your dog.

Thank you, and enjoy the park!

The Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc. would like to make you aware of a recent occurrence. Recently, someone vandalized the park by stealing and/or destroying property that your membership dues and donations helped to purchase.

The Lakewood Police have been notified and a report has been filed. We are looking for any additional information about the incident or who might have been involved. The vandalism took place between Thursday evening, and Friday evening, (9/22-23). If you have any information, please contact Lakewood Police at 216-521-6773 or TopDog@LakewoodDogPark.com.

The items missing include numerous laminated signs, membership forms, incident report forms with writing utensils, sign holders, and heavy duty literature box.

Included in the vandalism was the newly installed information box and the new Incident Reports that it contained. The Incident Report listed contact information for City of Lakewood first responders. The Incident Reports were posted in the event of human or canine emergencies. Theft of this information could result in public safety issues. The Incident Reports were installed following the abandonment of dogs at the dog park and a human medical emergency resulting in EMS treatment and transport.

Also included in the vandalism were all safety warning signs. As such, we'd like to take this opportunity to remind you to take caution at the park due to the ruts formed by water erosion. The City of Lakewood Parks Department has been notified and is planning to repair the problem soon. In the mean time, please watch your step.

The top priority of the Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc. is the safety of dog park users and their dogs. Safety could be compromised by the theft and destruction of FLDP property. The membership of the FLDP bears the burden of the cost of the theft and destruction of property.

Thank you.

We would just like to recap the great time so many people had at the Lakewood Dog Swim / Pooch Plunge this year. You can check out photos in our gallery, read some of the news articles, and read the letter and promotional material that was handed out in case you missed it.

• Photos
• Lakewood Observer Announcement
• Patch Article
• News Net 5 Article
• Letter
• Promotional Flier

We would not be able to pull an event off like this without our dedicated volunteers and everyone else who worked to make this a success. A huge THANK YOU to:

• Jeff Barbalics
• Chad Bray
• Maureen Dostal
• Alanna Faith
• Tamara Lentini
• Sarah Luikart
• Mikki Rhoades
• Lynne Schroeder
• Dave Starcher
• Jim Thompson
• The City of Lakewood
• Matt Demaline
• Each of the Lifeguards and Pool Staff

We would also like to congratulate Ben Hoffman for winning the 50/50 raffle!!! Ben was kind enough to donate his winnings back to the Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc. 501(c)(3)... Thanks, Ben!

Date is Tues. Sept. 6th. It was recently brought to my attention that the date on the pic to the right says the 5th, but that is incorrect!

This is our big fundraiser for the year, and more importantly, a fun event that the dogs just LOVE!

$5.00 per dog or $8.00 for (2) dogs

All proceeds go to the Friends of Lakewood Dog Park (FLDP) for maintenance and improvements to the Lakewood Dog Park.

Come dressed to get wet, bring some towels. And doggies, bring your person to the doggie event of the year and have a SPLASH!!!

Please print and sign this waiver and bring to the event.

The park is back open now. There is currently a backhoe blocking the drive. ADA parking only in the lot. Regular alternate parking rules apply.

Digger's Construction Updates

• THE DOG PARK WILL REMAIN OPEN (unless otherwise notified)
• USE ALTERNATE PARKING; MON. - FRI. 7:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday, August 23, 2011 to Friday August 26, 2011. (for this phase)
• EXPECT WEATHER AND PROBABLE DELAYS to extend the duration of alternate parking
• EXPECT DELAYS ENTERING AND EXITING the dog park entrance driveway during construction. Traffic may be stopped, diverted or detoured
• DOG PARK ADJACENT PARKING WILL BE LIMITED to those with State of Ohio issued Handicap Stickers and physically impaired. Abuse will result in closing adjacent parking. Restrictions apply from 7:00am to 5:00pm, DURING ALTERNATE PARKING
• DOG PARK ADJACENT PARKING SPACES WILL BE REDUCED in quantity during construction
• TRAFFIC AND PARKING CHANGES ARE NECESSARY due to construction trenching in the entrance driveway
• EXPECT TRAFFIC TO BE LIMITED to 1 lane and traffic pattern changes
• EXPECT ROAD HAZARDS. Expect bumps and metal road plates
• Debris, flying dirt, dust, stones and other hazards WILL occur

Digger's Construction Warnings

• HOURS OF THE DOG PARK MAY BE ALTERED
• Use the park based on the safety and health of yourself and your dogs
• PARK AT YOUR OWN RISK in dog park adjacent parking area
• Have a contingency plan for your personal needs and needs of your dog
• Dog Park patrons using any alternate Metropark parking should exercise caution. Heavy machinery and construction vehicles will be in use in the area
• Keep dogs on 6' or shorter lead length between parking areas and until inside dog park
• Only use marked crosswalk on Valley View Drive. Be vigilant of traffic. "HEEL" your dogs
• During construction work hours; When arriving or departing dog park entrance drive, pedestrians must wait for construction personnel to signal passage through the construction area
• Expect delays as you arrive and depart at the driveway entrance. There will be an open trench, rough terrain and metal street plates
• AVOID WEARING sandals, flip flops, open toed shoes, or soft soled shoes. This is a construction site. There will be construction debris and possible hazards
• Debris, flying dirt, dust, stones, other hazards and loud machinery noises WILL occur

Digger's Directions for Alternate Parking

Please park across the bridge at the marina parking lot and walk your dog across the bridge to the dog park during alternate parking times.

A map and more inforamation can be found at the link.

Hi all. Digger here with some construction updates. Please take a look at the following items...

• Water is back on. Look for it by the small dog area
• Alternate parking will begin Tuesday, August 23. Look for more updates before you head to the park
• The City tried to fix the ruts, but recent heavy rains have brought them back. Please use caution.

Again, safety is our top priority. Stay informed and patient. Expect change! Updates will be posted here on this website. Follow “Digger” on Facebook at Friends of Lakewood Dog Park On our mailing list? Look for updates delivered right to your email box. Check the links to the left to join our mailing list and to Friend us on Facebook.

"Hey all - it's Digger with an important construction update! The DOG PARK will be CLOSED, MONDAY, August 15, 2011 until at least 5pm. The west fence will be opened, Temporary construction fencing will be installed about midway in the park, a temporary water line will be installed and trees that must be sacrificed for the construction will be removed."

"Look for in park signs, emails, and web site postings as usual to spread the news. Keep your ears up for updates from Digger!"

Digger says...
"Digger's break time is over! Just received word that Digioia Suburban Excavating is planning on beginning work on the Valleyview Phase 3 project on Thursday, August 11, 2011. Yup, that means the start of the sewer project has been moved back up from September. (woof) That's the construction biz for ya! (woof) As always, updates to come!"

Mark your calendars for this fun event. The more people we get there the more we help out the dog park. Make sure you use our form when you buy your tickets and/or write "Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park" on your purchase order when you buy your tickets!

See this flier for all the details and ordering information!

• Tuesday, August 9 @ 7:00 pm
• Lawn/Bleacher tickets are only $7.00!
• Pooch passes are only $5.00!
• Come early for the police k-9 demonstration at 6:20
• Dick Goddard will sing the National Anthem
• Various vendors will be on hand
• Come support the “Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park” this night

For further information please contact:
Bill Levy at 440-975-8085 ext. 132 or
blevy@captainsbaseball.com
Please order at least one week prior to game.

Digger says...
"Hello Dog Park friends! I have some great news to share!

1. The ruts and gullies have been repaired and the PARK IS OPEN!
2. The foam spraying project is completed and the PARKING LOT IS OPEN (after 5 like normal)!
3. The trees have been trimmed and the trees are safe!
4. The sewer project that will close the western end of the park has officially been delayed which means we should have at least a month construction free!

Digger says...
"Hi everyone. We just got word that the sewer construction project that will close the west end of the dog park is being delayed. The exact start date has yet to be determined, but they are now shooting for sometime in September. As always, Digger will keep you updated."

"In other news, the heat wave and the rain has slowed completion of the foam spraying project at the water plant. We hope they will be done soon, but until then, the regular parking lot will remain inconveniently closed."

"The erosion problems are still scheduled bo be fixed on Tuesday (and possibly Wednesday) necessitating a closure of the park to keep people and dogs safe."

Digger says...
"Hi all, Digger here with some good news! The City of Lakewood was quick to respond to the erosion problem at the dog park. They plan to bring in heavy equipment and materials to address the problem. The park will be closed on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 and perhaps Wednesday, July 27th. If weather and delivery of materials doesn't cooperate, that date will be changed and we'll let you know. We all know we need to keep the park safe, so thanks for everyone's cooperation! Now, Digger's off to get ready for the Bow Wow beach trip Saturday, July 23rd. Stay cool everyone!"

Join us for a casual group trip to Bow Wow Beach in Stow, OH. We will meet at Bow Wow Beach beginning at around 10am. Around 1pm, we will migrate to a grassy picnic area in the adjacent park and enjoy each other's company while we snack on picnic food. Please bring something to share.

Having a picnic with our dogs can be tricky, so remember to bring a leash and/or tie-out for the pups while we have our picnic. Also bring a folding chair if you have one as picnic table seating could be limited.

This event is open to everyone, but the rules of Bow Wow Beach state that children under 48" tall are not allowed in the dog area. There is a very large park with swings and a play area for children near the picnic area.

See you there!

More info about Bow Wow Beach. Bow Wow Beach is located at Silver Springs Park at 5070 Stow Road, Stow OH 44224

Digger says...
"Howdy Dog Park friends! MONDAY, July 18th, the dog park will be CLOSED. Our buddies at the Forestry Department have some work to finish. Hey, did you know the big sycamore tree is over 70 feet tall? Check out these pictures of guys with chain saws way up in the air."

"Good news - it looks like we are nearing the completion of this phase of construction. If the weather holds out, when the dog park opens back up on Tuesday the foam spraying work at the water plant will be completed and the parking lot back to normal!"

"That's all for now, it's kibble time for Digger! I'll check back in if there are any further updates."

p.s. It looks like we are still having some problems with our email system and some people who may have previously unsubscribed might have received the recent email announcing the above information. We apologize for the inconvenience while we try to figure out what is wrong.

Digger says, "Aloha Dog Park friends! Good news - If the weather continues to hold out, this phase of construction could be done as early as this Friday! Check back for more updates and in the mean time, remember to park at the marina and walk over the bridge."

We received the following emailed request recently...

Dear Friends,
Took Yellow/White lab mix female, medium-sized, in heat to Lakewood Animal Shelter near where she was found. Thank you!
-Wendy (a regular)

We'd like to share a a nice email we received recently...

Good Morning,

Last night I spent the evening with a friend and her ill dog Olivia, at our local emergency vet clinic. While waiting I picked up the winter edition of "Modern Dog" and read about the unfortunate situation with your dog park. As a member of a group of dog owners that meet at a local park seven days a week I was struck by how similar your park seems. I was especially struck by the comments, "This is a park where people can go and talk with people that have at least one common interest. People have become friends with each other there. These people see each other on a daily basis." That describes our park exactly, I have met and become friends with a group of people I would never know otherwise. In fact the friend I was with at the clinic was someone I met at the dog park!

We both were shocked by the actions of those suing your park and hoped that the park would prevail in court, so I was very pleased this morning after googling the Lakewood Dog Park to discover that the judge had ruled in your favor. I just thought I would write and send along the best wishes and support of a fellow dog park person.

Today our dog park group has a going away party planned for one our favorite members complete with treats for dogs and humans. The biggest sorrow for the member who is leaving is leaving behind her beloved dog park (she doesn't know what her Buddy will do - he doesn't know yet) and the fact that her new hometown does not have a dog park. Olivia pulled through and is on the road to recovery, but I am afraid she will miss the party!

All the best,

-Elaine in Texas

Digger says, "Hi Dog Park friends! Looks like the construction crew will be continuing their work through the weekend. Remember to park at the marina (over the bridge) for the next couple of weeks because paint and foam over-spray could damage any vehicles parked near the dog park."

Mark your calendars for this fun event. The more people we get there the more we help out the dog park. Make sure you use our form when you buy your tickets and/or write "Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park" on your purchase order when you buy your tickets!

See this flier for all the details and ordering information!

• Tuesday, August 9 @ 7:00 pm
• Lawn/Bleacher tickets are only $7.00!
• Pooch passes are only $5.00!
• Come early for the police k-9 demonstration at 6:20
• Dick Goddard will sing the National Anthem
• Various vendors will be on hand
• Come support the “Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park” this night

For further information please contact:
Bill Levy at 440-975-8085 ext. 132 or
blevy@captainsbaseball.com
Please order at least one week prior to game.

The first of two construction projects begins tomorrow at noon. They are spraying the tops of the digester tanks at the Waste Water Treatment Plant with insulating foam. They will begin by cleaning the surface with water jets, then priming the surface. Finally they will spray the foam coating on the tanks. The whole process should take 2 weeks plus any weather delays.

Please see the following 2 posters for more information, and look for signs at the park featuring "Digger" the construction dog. Please don't hesitate to email TopDog@LakewoodDogPark.com with any questions. A synopsis of the posters follows.

Parking Notice
Construction Notice

• Phase 1 of construction begins at Noon, Wednesday, July 6, 2011
• Hours of the Lakewood Dog Park may be altered
• Use the park based on the safety and health of yourself and your dogs
• Debris, overspray and noxious odors WILL occur
• Have a contingency plan for your personal needs and needs of your dog
• Stay informed of construction updates at www.LakewoodDogPark.org
• No Parking in Lakewood Water Treatment parking areas
• Safe Parking is available in Metropark parking areas

The Lakewood Dog Park Construction Zone Reminders

• Safety of dogs and their owners is top priority
• Please abide by rules and posted changes
• Stay informed and alert for notices as they posted on our web site: www.LakewoodDogPark.org
• Be patient during the construction project
• Email inquiries to: TopDog@LakewoodDogPark.org

Show your Dog Park Spirit by wearing your Dog Park t-shirt! This Saturday everyone who has a dog park t-shirt is encouraged to wear it in a show of support for the dog park. We are proud of our park and want to show our pride!

If you don't have a t-shirt, or don't have this year's model, you are in luck! We are having a t-shirt SALE on Saturday. Get your t-shirt for 25% off. Regularly priced at $20, you can get your's for just $15 on Saturday. We plan to be open from 8am-4pm.

Can't make it to the sale? Want a 2011 Dog Park t-shirt? We will be selling them at the beginning of the parade. In addition, we offer FREE shipping if you order online with a credit card or PayPal! Just scroll down a few posts and choose your size to get yours TODAY!

It is almost the 4th of July and do you know what that means? Walking in the Lakewood Parade with your dog and the Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park! I know many of you have been waiting for the parade information and we have finally received it.

Please join us as we show off our pups to the whole city. Please wear your Dog Park T-Shirts to show your Dog Park spirit and Lakewood pride! If you don't have one, we will have them available on the morning of the event. We are also in need of wagons to carry water and other supplies - so if you have one or can get one, please bring it.

Plan to arrive by 9:30am on Monday the 4th - the parade steps off promptly at 10:00am

The parade lines up and assembles on Edgewater Dr. (which is one street North of Lake Ave.) between Kenneth Rd. and Webb Rd.

We will be entry #11 in the Blue section which starts at 16934 Edgewater Dr. and stretches West until 17420 Edgewater Dr. We are directly behind American Limosine and directly in front of Halson Landscaping. Look for everyone in their Purple and Gold Dog Park T-Shirts!

Parking can be an issue so leave yourself enough time and carpool if possible. One option is to drop your other passengers (and dog) off at the corner of Lake Rd. and Webb Rd. then park at Lakewood Park. There will be a shuttle to take Drivers Only back to the begining of the parade.