Newton Dog Park Project

06/27/2024

06/13/2024

Just a reminder as we see more seasonal traffic at the dog park and along our paths and trails ... please clean up after your pets!

05/31/2024

We’re so pumped to share that Blue Skies Pet Care has been featured in a client spotlight by Time to Pet! They highlighted Blue Skies' work and community projects, including our very own Newton Dog Park Project. 🐾

Check out the full spotlight here: https://www.timetopet.com/blog/client-spotlight-blue-skies-pet-care-llc

We couldn’t have done it without you all. Your support and enthusiasm are what made this dream come true. Thanks for helping us create a fun and safe spot for our furry friends to play!

Let’s keep making Newton an even better place for our pets! 🐶❤️

02/15/2024

Half of all dog bites are to children. In about a third of those cases, it is the family dog. The majority of cases are to the head and neck.

Why does this happen? Children may not be able to read a dog's subtle body language indicating stress, fear. or discomfort. (Many adults need help with this as well!) Children's faces are physically close to dogs' mouths and kids are often tempted to look closely into dogs' faces, which can trigger a defensive response. Additionally, children can often invade a dog's personal space or unintentionally threaten their resources by handling/taking their food, toys, or treats. Chasing dogs is also a problem.

Many sources discourage children in a dog park environment, so be incredibly cautious and utilize active supervision in areas they are allowed if you bring your children to a dog park.

Supervision: What It Is and Why It’s Important

Supervision describes the ways adults help protect children from injury or other harm. Supervision is an active process. It involves watching, listening, interacting, monitoring, and preventing problems.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “active and positive supervision” involves:

- Knowing each child’s abilities
- Establishing clear and simple safety rules
- Being aware of and scanning for potential safety hazards
- Standing in a strategic position
- Scanning play activities and circulating around the area
- Teaching children what is appropriate and safe

You can see that supervision is much more than watching. It involves all your skills as a teacher and caregiver. Supervision is your responsibility and commitment as someone choosing to bring your children to a public space. It is also your responsibility and commitment to the children who rely on you for guidance, nurturing, protection, and support.

https://www.virtuallabschool.org/preschool/safe-environments/lesson-4

https://www.trailblazingtails.com/blogs/queen-of-unsolicited-advice/should-children-go-to-the-dog-park

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820741/

09/27/2023

09/13/2023

🎉🐾 7 Years of Centennial Dog Park! 🐾🎉
Time sure flies when you're having 'pawsome' fun! Can you believe it’s been 7 years since the opening of the Centennial Dog Park? 🐶

We've just published a blog post taking you through this incredible journey and giving a big shoutout to YOU, our wonderful community, for making it all possible! 🏡🌳
👉 [Read Our Blog Post Here: https://blueskiespetcare.com/celebrating-7-paw-some-years-of-centennial-dog-park-a-community-treasure/ ] 👈



Feel free to share the blog and spread the dog park love. See you at the park! 🐾❤️

12/01/2021

I love that I can quietly sit at a table at the dog park and listen to community members that don't know me rave about how the dog park is THE BEST amenity in Newton. Actually, I could honestly cry. I love that I had a hand in it. I love that supporters had a hand in it. Donors and vocal supporters made it possible.

Normally I only post dog park stuff here. I know, I know. But once the dog park project was complete, I soon joined other active groups looking to support and improve our community. I wanted to share a milestone with you.

Now you can support something else incredibly important and Good, too.

I'm so excited for our community! Not only are you moving forward with an important project, the fundraising for that project is ahead of its timeline! Go Newton! Please keep an eye out over the coming months for ways you can support your Newton Public Library
Or if you're like me and anxious to join the fun, reach out to your library directly.

If you aren't sure why your library is a big deal, please reach out to me. We can message to discuss your thoughts or I can treat you to coffee while we talk about it!

Warm Wags,
Ashley Klein

Following yesterday's city commission meeting, we have two exciting announcements about the new library building project!

1) The city commission voted to move the project into its design phase! This means that the concept art you see below will soon be replaced by detailed designs and architectural plans.

2) We exceeded our goal for the "quiet phase" of the Where Community Connects fundraising campaign!

Thanks to the hard work of our Campaign Leadership Committee, and thanks to generous donors, we have secured over $1.4 million. That's more than half of the total $2.7 million we aim to raise from private supporters.

Now, we're looking forward to starting the PUBLIC part of the fundraising campaign for a new library. In the months ahead, you'll be hearing a lot more about this project and how it benefits our community!

For a news release with more details about the project timeline and funding sources, click here: https://www.newtonplks.org/2021/12/with-more-than-1-4-million-in-private-support-secured-new-library-project-moves-into-design-phase/