Because neither Clark County, nor the City of Vancouver can pay for it!

Vancouver-Clark County Parks and Recreation "does not meet the minimum national standard for park acres per capita."[1] Parks & Rec simply hasn't had enough money to pay the maintenance fees for new parks. For example, many of the sports leagues have contributed initial capital for field improvements to Parks & Rec and ongoing funds to help maintain those fields. Even with the Greater Clark Parks District impact on upcoming community parks, funding will still come from "other sources," like DOGPAW partnerships.[2]

As a non-profit organization, DOGPAW is an entity that can cooperate with Vancouver-Clark County Parks and Recreations and others like BPA to secure and develop land for off leash areas faster than Parks & Rec can do it on their own. It is much easier to get businesses to donate money to a non-profit group.

These are your off leash dog parks! If you become a member of DOGPAW you can help mold and shape these parks. You will literally have a vote on DOGPAW issues.

All the money DOGPAW collects goes to develop and maintain off leash parks. We try to get as much assistance through volunteers and donations as we possibly can. In fact, the Board of Directors consists of volunteers from the DOGPAW membership at large.

The cost to set up a new park which includes fencing, kiosks, other internal furnishings runs between $8-10K, and that is assuming all the labor comes from our volunteers. We are setting money aside because we hope to be developing 3 new sites in Clark County in the next couple years.

There are several expenses in the ongoing operation of the off leash parks:

• Insurance is $1.5K per year.
• We spend about $2K per site for waste can removal each year.
• It takes approx $1K in maintenance costs per site, which includes mowing, equipment rental, and etc.
• It takes at least $1.2K for mailing, copying, printing, and various supplies to operate Dogpaw for a year, depending on how many events we do.

We work to get as many services donated as possible. Yet you can see our income is quickly depleted, with development and maintenance of new and existing parks.

Thanks to the support of our members, without whom there would be no off leash parks in Vancouver!

    expense chart.

      (click open)

Membership is open to any resident of Clark County or neighboring community that supports the DOGPAW mission statement and continuing membership is contingent upon being up-to-date on membership dues and signing a DOGPAW membership form.

Want to become a member of DOGPAW?
Download the membership form (below) fill it out and mail it to us with your check or donate-pay online.

• One-year, Individual membership: $15
• One-year, Family membership: $25

Note: If you can, please give more than the standard membership contribution. DOGPAW is entirely funded by your donations. Your donation funds regular pick up of dog waste, mowing, all maintainace and materials for new and existing parks, and other operating expenses.

Your donation is tax deductible! We will e-mail you a receipt for tax purposes.

NOTE: Attend our Annual Meeting, March 2008, to receive one FREE book per membership or purchase a copy now at 50% off. That's our cost! Members also get other discounts and have voting privileges.

There are many options for members and non-members to stay informed!

Join DOGPAW and become involved in one of the commitees or contact us with your ideas. Our commitees include: Finance, Fund Raising, Development, Publicity-Promo-Membership, and Other Future Issues.
(see membership forms above)

Please view our current volunteer and job opportunities.