FIDO T-shirts!

At the last FIDO meeting, we discussed ordering t-shirts which could be worn during work days at the park and to fund raisers supporting the group. We have been working with Acorn Graphics in Fairmont to design the shirts. Here are the details:
- Shirts will be the color Sand - which is a light tan color
- Size available are youth sizes and adult sizes up to 3XL
- On the front, we propose the 4x4 FIDO logo on the left chest (where a pocket would be but the shirts don't have pockets)
- On the back, we propose a 12x12 design (which is standard size) which would have a big paw print in the middle, the FIDO webpage underneath the paw, and the phrase "More Than a Walk in the Park" in an arch over the top of the paw print. The phrase on the back is certainly up for suggestions so if you have any, please feel free to email the group or myself (wendy.spurling@gmail.com) with your ideas. If we are able to put together an order for 30-35 shirts, the cost should be around $8.00 a shirt (ballpark), or a little more if we order less shirts. We're just going to focus on t-shirts for right now, but hats and other items may be close behind if this goes well. If you are interested in ordering a FIDO t-shirt, please let me know what size and how many of each size so we can get a count for the April 6 meeting. We would like to have the t-shirts for the Cash Bash fund raiser on May 16, so we would like to place the order immediately after our next FIDO meeting, so please have your orders to me by April 6 either via email (wendy.spurling@gmail.com) or phone (412-719-9305).
Thank you!!
- Wendy Jo Spurling

"FIDO goes before Marion County commission to bark for dog park funds BY: Jim Bissett for the Dominion Post

Happy panting and tireless Frisbee-fetching, yes. Leashes, no. Those will be the only rules Marion County's canine population will have to abide by in the county's first-ever dog park, which is scheduled to open this summer. The group that will oversee the operation, Fairmont Interested Dog Owners (FIDO) came out during an evening session of the Marion County Commission on Wednesday to bark for park funds. The park's area takes in three acres in a northern quadrant of East Marion Park, which is just off the city's East Side. David Garcia, the group's president, asked commissioners for $8,000, which is about half the total cost for the fencing that will allow dogs to roam off-leash. The park will be part of the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission's (MCPARC) network, Garcia said. "We're pretty excited about it," he said. "So many dogs are tied up in the yard, so this is a place where they can really run." As in running in social circles, said Garcia, the proud owner of a golden retriever named Brewster. "The dogs will be able to socialize and get some exercise," he said. "And when you get a bunch of dog owners around, you've got an instant bond." Counting fences and new signs, Garcia said, the technical cost of the park will be $21,500. Operating it under MCPARC means the group won't have to apply for nonprofit status. The park will be a mix of hilly, wooded trails and flat expanses free of trees, he said, and the area FIDO marked had been unused previously. Having a park catering to a canine clientele in the county means owners will no longer have to drive to Morgantown and other locales in order to see Spot run, Garcia said. The county will fetch an answer for FIDO next week, Commission President Randy Elliott said, adding that he and his fellow commissioners are all dog owners. "I don't have to tell you you're preaching to the choir with us," he said to Garcia. FIDO also wants to get the city of Fairmont involved, which might not be barking up the wrong tree, since Deputy Mayor Bill Burdick (the proud owner of Katie, a black lab) is also a member. For information on the organization and the park, visit www.fairmontinteresteddogowners.blogspot.com. Commissioners, meanwhile, are on a short leash this week. They'll meet Friday morning to sign off on he county's roughly $10 million operating budget for fiscal year 2009-'10.

FIDO on WBOY News

Check out this link to a news story and clip about the dog park. We had lots of help that day and have made great progress!

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=54950

We need your help!

As we are already halfway through March, we are really needing to get the site area cleared. David and Steve walked the site this past Saturday to determine what needed to be done. They began work clearing the area with help from a great bunch of MCPARC volunteers. Now we really need help from our FIDO members.

Please look ahead on your March and early April calendars - every Saturday morning that it doesn't rain will be an opportunity to help. The outlook is good for a nice day this Saturday, March 21st - we will begin at 9AM. Also, David and I will be at the park tomorrow, Wednesday night, beginning at 5:30 P.M. until dark. If you can come for a couple of hours or only one, please plan to help out. We have put in a lot of hours in planning for our dog park; let's be sure to put in the sweat equity as well.

The only thing you have to have when coming out to help at the site is a thick pair of gloves. If you own a chainsaw, weedeater with blades, or scythe please bring it along.

If you could let me know when you plan to help, it would be great to know who to expect. Thanks for considering putting in a little time for our dogs.

First Work Day Planned

Our first work day for the dog park will be held on Saturday, March 14th, at 9:00 A.M. Please bring work gloves if you plan to help out. Feel free to come and check out the property if you are not able to pitch in at this time to get a glimpse of our vision for the first dog park in Marion County.

March Meeting

Our next meeting for FIDO is Monday, March 9th, at 7:00 P.M. in the J. Harper Meredith Building. We will be discussing our progress and planning some work days at the property. Hope you can make it!