Although the development and construction of Kingsman Field Dog Park has moved slower than we'd hoped, we understand from DPR that the project is on track, and that they are shooting for construction to begin in early 2010 with completion by spring or early summer. We are in the final stages of deciding on specifics in the design of the park. We'd like to get some feedback from future users about some of the design elements that will be incorporated into the park and what you think are the most important materials, furnishings and amenities to include in the completed park.

With that in mind, we've developed a short survey. Please take the time to answer the Kingsman Field Dog Park Survey, which can be found at http://hillhounds.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=123

If you haven't done so already, you will need to register as a member of our website and log in to take the survey. We set it up this way so that we'd know all of the feedback was coming from the folks who are expected to use the park most- dog owners on the Hill. If you're not registered on the website yet, you can do so at http://hillhounds.com/content/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=registers

Before you answer the survey, please read the context at the top of the page:

Park Layout (questions 1-4): The park will be split up between a Small Dog Area to be used by small/shy/old dogs who do better when separated from bigger or rougher dogs, as well as a larger Main Area. Small dogs will be welcome in the Main Area. The total square footage of the dog park is set by DPR. These questions are designed to solicit feedback as to how we can best allocate that total square footage.

Ground Surface (questions 5-7): Because of the high volume of foot/paw traffic expected at the park, the ground surface cannot be grass because the park would have to be shut down on a regular basis for reseeding. Therefore, we want your feedback on these practical dog park surface options. More information about these surface options is available at the bottom of this page.

Amenities (questions 8-12): The Department of Parks and Recreation will provide a hose spigot, trash cans, a dog waste bag dispenser, shrubbery and a community bulletin board. Our first priorities for additional amenities will be installing 3 or 4 benches and trees for shading. Beyond that, we would like to know what other amenities you would like.

If you're a member of Facebook, there's a new way to help Kingsman Field Dog Park! The park now has an official "Cause" page on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/390922 in addition to our "Fan Page" at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-DC/Hill-Hounds/53568602452

And if your birthday is coming up in the next 30 days, you can ask your friends to donate to the park as your birthday wish.  After you join the cause at the above link, go to http://apps.facebook.com/causes/birthdays/new?cause_id=390922 to set up your birthday wish.

Tune in to WAMU, 88.5 FM, this Saturday, September 5, at 7 AM to hear me talk about Hill Hounds and Kingsman Field Dog Park. I was interviewed for a segment called "Dogs and Society: Inside Local Dog Parks" that will be airing on The Animal House this week. If you're not accustomed to being awake at 7 AM on Saturday, you can also find the program posted on http://wamuanimalhouse.org shortly after it airs.

Here's some more information about the program:

The Animal House is a weekly discussion that explores the latest in animal science, pet behavior, and wildlife conservation. We hope to deepen human understanding of animals and explain the powerful bonds that link us to the animal world. Our goal is to be fun, substantive, and appealing to a broad audience -- both those with pets and those without them.

The Animal House will go from the bat caves of northern Virginia to the big game reserves of Botswana as we discuss the latest in animal-related news. And each week, you can count on expert advice about all your pet-related questions from Dr. Gary Weitzman, veterinarian and executive director of the Washington Animal Rescue League.