Community Corner
Bedford Dog Owner's Group: Recharged and Ready
The Bedford Dog Owners Group is looking to expand its membership.
Bedford is fortunate to have a beautiful dog park at Beaver Dam Park in Katonah. The is a partnership between the Town of Bedford and the Bedford Dog Owner’s Group (BDOG). BDOG raised substantial funds to open the park in 2008. Currently, over 150 humans and their dogs enjoy three enclosed areas for small dogs, large dogs, and an agility/program, all covering 17 acres.
One of the long-time members and driving forces behind BDOG is Rose Goldfine of Katonah. She has spearheaded many a project over the years and overseen the park’s evolution with dogged determination.
Rose’s long-time commitment is one reason this park has fared so well over time. When I met Rose, it became obvious that this facility and all the dogs who use it were important to her; she inspired me!
A cadre of volunteers recently stepped up to form a new board, including myself, Golfdine (Treasurer), Suzanne Sunday (VP), Diane Fuller (Secretary), Larry Freedman, Barbara G. Harris, Laurie Nevin and Lisa Weiss.
The group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM in the Anyone with an interest toward improving the dog park is welcome to join. The group is currently undergoing a campaign to encourage membership, which right now is $1.00 per year. We want to expand BDOG membership so that we can continue our mission of enriching the lives and recreational opportunities for dogs and their owners.
Membership means BDOG can present a unified and organized program of park enhancement, including grounds, amenities and programs. Currently, agility classes are run through the Town of Bedford Recreation and Parks Department.
We hope that soon we’ll be able to offer other specialty classes for dog owners and their children with workshops and classes in obedience, canine care and grooming, dog sports, top spots to hike with dogs and much more. That’s why we are encouraging more folks to come forward and share ideas so we can make the park fit their needs. It’s why we’re making this commitment to BODG, and we hope others will join our effort.
This summer, several projects have been initiated in partnership with the Town of Bedford, based upon user feedback, including: repairs to broken fences and gates, improved entry surfaces, a reseeding project and new benches. The Town is also repaving the parking lot and stands ready to assist with the selection and addition of shade trees.
Our Parks and Recreation Department is a highly professional staff and they have been there with sound advice as we planned these projects. It’s a team effort all around. We have appreciated support from Bedford Town Supervisor Lee Roberts and the Town Council along with Recreation and Parks Director Bill Heidepriem.
In the future, BDOG hopes to initiate a “donate a bench, donate a tree” program whereby these enhancements could be donated to the park in memory of a special dog or human.
The next BDOG meeting takes place at the Katonah Restaurant on Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30 PM. More information can be found on the BDOG website, www.bedforddog.org or by calling Len Martello at 914-864-1782.
