NOVA . . .err . . Mid-Atlantic . . .er . . EAST COAST Chazzers!

[Lilavati]

I've begun the hunt for a suitable gathering place. I'm checking out dog parks in the NOVA area, and I'm going to try to hit one in Annapolis when I go up there on Thursday on business.

Unfortunately, my dog park, though wonderful, is not suitable for a large gathering of out-of-towners . . . there are no amenities for humans. So, I'm checking out some others.

I've ruled out Ben Brennan park after a look see . . . if anyone can tell me where is a waste of my time (or a place I need to look) please contribute.

 

[Xerxes]

When is this gathering supposed to take place?

 

[milos_mommy]

Oh man i wanna come!!!

I don't have any suggestions, sorry. I don't know where you want to meet...or how you want to do this. Do you think people would come from out of town? Would anyone stay overnight? Find somewhere with a pet hotel? Or just a day-trip kind of thing? I think you need to figure out who would definately be able to go, choose a date, and figure out what kind of rendevous you want.

 

[Lilavati]

It will probably take place in March or April. We there's another thread about it somewhere. The idea is to meet at a dog park, let our furry friends play, maybe have a pot luck . . . basicaly actually meet each other. I think I was appointed the nominal organizer . . . by default perhaps.

Milo, it will be in the spring, in the DC metro area. Probably a half day at a dog park. How one gets here and such is going to be up to individuals. I really intitlally suggsted it just for the DC metro people, but folks in PA and NC want to come too . . .so . . .

Anyway, today was a wash. The Shirlington dog park has many virtues, but its too big and too crowded to be a good meet up place. I spent the entire time on my feet so that I could keep Sarama in sight. Futher, there's a gap in the fence that leads down a stream . . . this is great . . . but several people said they really needed a secure fence. Considering that beyond the stream and the high bank on the other side is a major road, I don't think its the place for us. I was also shocked to see a dog fight in which the owner of one of the dogs could not be found . . . he turned up later oblivious to what his dog had been up to. So, not for us. I don't think I'll go back often . . . it was fun, but exhausting for me.

My dog park (Bentley Library) and Ben Brennan are already excluded . . . for lack of convinence and size. So, I'll keep looking.

 

[PWCorgi]

Do you think people would come from out of town?

I think it's being held in northern Va, and I'm in PA. I guess that would count as out of town There are other members who I think were going to travel to get there too.

Would anyone stay overnight?

I think Jess talked about staying over because it's such a long drive for her. I'd like to spend the night, but I don't think my mom would let me stay in a hotel in a strange place.

Or just a day-trip kind of thing?

I think most people are doing it as a day trip kind of thing.

 

[PWCorgi]

Here's a list of off-leash dog parks I found for NOVA:

Ben Brenman Dog Park -at Backlick Creek Alexandria
Braddock Road Dog Run Area -SE Corner of Braddock Rd and Commonwealth Alexandria
Chambliss Street Dog Run Area -Chambliss St Alexandria
Chinquapin Park Dog Run Area -Chinquapin Park East of Loop Alexandria
Duke Street Dog Park -5000 block of Duke Street Alexandria
Fort Ward Park Offleash Dog Run -East of Park Road Alexandria
Fort Williams Dog Run Area -Between Ft Wiliams and Ft Williams Parkway Alexandria
Founders Park Dog Run Area -Oronoco St and Union St Alexandria
Hooff's Run Dog Run Area -Commonwealth between Oak and Chapman St Alexandria
Montgomery Park Dog Park -Fairfax and 1st Streets Alexandria
Monticello Park Dog Run Area -Monticello Park Alexandria
Simpson Stadium Dog Park -Monroe Avenue Alexandria
Tarleton Park Dog Run Area -Old Mill Run west of Gordon St Alexandria
W&OD Railroad Dog Run Area -Raymond Avenue Alexandria
Windmill Hill Park Dog Run Area -Gibbon and Union Streets Alexandria
Mason District -6621 Columbia Pike Annandale
Benjamin Banneker Park Dog Run -1600 Block North Sycamore Arlington
Fort Barnard Dog Run -Corner of South Pollard St and South Walter Reed Drive Arlington
Glencarlyn Park Dog Run -301 South Harrison St Arlington
Madison Community Center Dog Park -3829 North Stafford St Arlington
Shirlington Park Dog Run -2601 South Arlington Mill Drive Arlington
Towers Park Dog Park -801 South Scott St Arlington
Chandon Dog Park -900 Palmer Drive Herndon
Blake Lane Dog Park -10033 Blake Lane Oakton
Baron Cameron Dog Park -11300 Baron Cameron Avenue Reston
South Run Dog Park -7550 Reservation Drive Springfield

Linky.

 

[milos_mommy]

i'd totally come...i don't know if i'd bring Milo though. I think DC is about a six hour drive from me.

 

[2BlackDogs]

DC would be a long drive from here for just a day trip. I am planning a trip back up to MD in June. I have a wedding to go to and I'll spend some time with my family. That's going to be for at least a week though. It's alot of driving!

 

[jess2416]

as far as I know I'm still going to be able to make it... and although if I wanted too, I could spend the day and drive back, but I will probably get a room and stay overnight and drive home the next morning

 

[RedHotDobe]

I've begun the hunt for a suitable gathering place. I'm checking out dog parks in the NOVA area, and I'm going to try to hit one in Annapolis when I go up there on Thursday on business.

Are you going to Quiet Waters? From what I remember, the actual fenced in dog park is fairly small and crowded, and the dog beach is completely unfenced.

 

[RedHotDobe]

I'd like to spend the night, but I don't think my mom would let me stay in a hotel in a strange place.

Sleepover at nolu's!

 

[noludoru]

That's what I was going to suggest, but I thought it would be more polite to do so in a PM.. yeeeeesh Caitlin.


OT: Emma wont stay out of my cupcakes.. grrr

 

[Lilavati]

Are you going to Quiet Waters? From what I remember, the actual fenced in dog park is fairly small and crowded, and the dog beach is completely unfenced.

Thanks. I'd heard that the beach was unfenced, but that there was also the fenced area . . .if its small and crowded, then its probably not worth the side trip.

I've got a guide book for dog owners to the region . . it lists all the major dog parks . .unfortunatley, though it gives ratings, they aren't detailed enough . . . for example, it says Shirlington is very nice (true) but neglects to mention the open fence or the fact that you can't take your eyes off your dog for even a split second there.

 

[milos_mommy]

Jess, i'm thinking if i go i might do the same. i don't even like driving much, and 12 hours in one day is a lot, and that's counting on basic traffic...

 

[PWCorgi]

Alex, would you be coming down by yourself?

Reason I ask is because I'm traveling down with a friend (hope nobody minds, she's really cool though, she can't wait to meet all you guys), and if I end up staying over down there you're welcome to hop a ride from Bloomsburg (or wherever we could set up a meeting place) down there with us. Save gas money and stuff.

 

[milos_mommy]

As of now i'm planning on coming by myself, i don't really have anyone that would come with me. And i'd definately consider car-pooling with you guys, however, i don't know if i'd even bring Milo. It'd honestly depend on how he's doing at the time. Are you bringing Iz and Frodo? Is your friend bringing a dog?

If i bring him, i don't know if riding with you guys would be such a good idea. He'd have to be crated, and i don't know how much he'd like being cooped up in a crate in a car with two (or more) other dogs for a few hours.

 

[PWCorgi]

Izzy and Frodo are def. staying home and I'm 99% sure my friend is not bringing a dog. If I did bring a dog it would be Mollie, though I've still not decided 100% one way or the other with her. If it's just a space issue, Mollie would be riding on my lap (I know not the safest, but that's the only way she'll ride).

 

[milos_mommy]

Milo rides on my lap too, if i'm not driving. Otherwise he's pretty much loose in the backseat.

Izzy and Frodo (or one of them) has some DA issues, right? Milo's doing really, really, really well, and if we don't have any setbacks i think he'd handle the trip okay, but i still don't know. I think if i go for just the day i won't bring him, but if i spent the night i might. That way if i get a room, i can pop him in there for down time if he gets to worked up and he won't be shut in the car....

Lol imagine if a bunch of us spend the night and don't bring our dogs? We'll be like these insane moms "OMG i wonder if he ate, OMG i wonder if they miss me, OMG i hope she's okay....".

 

[PWCorgi]

Izzy and Frodo (or one of them) has some DA issues, right?

Izzy is not DA, but she will not tolerate pushy dogs and she doesn't want dog withing a 2 foot radius of her.
Frodo is fear reactive, and I think the whole situation would be too stressful for him.

Lol imagine if a bunch of us spend the night and don't bring our dogs? We'll be like these insane moms "OMG i wonder if he ate, OMG i wonder if they miss me, OMG i hope she's okay....".

Mine would be "OMG what has my mom done to my dogs by now..." LOL

 

[noludoru]

Mine would be "OMG what has my mom done to my dogs by now..." LOL

At least you know she'd feed them.