History
Me (center) in 8th grade with Councilwoman Marcalus (Left) and Councilwoman Stagg (Right).
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Leading the charge since Spring 2009, I have been advocating for a dog park in Oakland, NJ since I was in the 8th grade. The idea of a dog park started after we got our dog, Scooby, a golden retriever mix. Our family learned that not only walks, but running around and socializing were good for a dog's health and well-being.
My mother, an avid fan of "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Milan, had heard him say that dog parks were a great place to take a dog to get that socialization and exercise they needed - all while humans can also use the opportunity to meet and socialize with other dog owners. Coincidentally, around the same time, I was looking for a community centric project to fulfill my Valley Middle School requirement in order to graduate. My mom recommended I look to see if Oakland could get its very own dog park. Looking for dog parks in the area, we found a few back in 2009 but with varying conditions. There were beautiful and functional dog parks like the one in Ridgewood at the Wild Duck Pond and in Brookdale Park in Essex County. There were others we found like in Hawthorne and Pequannock, that we thought could use some work. |
Originally, when I started my dog park quest back in the 8th grade, I thought that the Raymond Property in Oakland would be the best spot (located across from the Oakland First Aid Squad), but I soon learned there were plans in the works for a nature trail at that location. Today, that location is known as Stewards Woods Park.
I was then told by the Mayor and various council people that the Heritage Hills property (commonly known as the Pleasureland and Muller's Park properties) was the next best bet. So after years of waiting for hearings and for money to come in from various funding sources, the Borough of Oakland finally purchased the Heritage Hills property in the spring of 2011. Yet, the economy was still not back to a healthy state and while still supportive of the idea, the Mayor and Council said that the dog park idea would need to wait a few years until economic conditions improved and all other things on the Heritage Hills site were squared away.
I was then told by the Mayor and various council people that the Heritage Hills property (commonly known as the Pleasureland and Muller's Park properties) was the next best bet. So after years of waiting for hearings and for money to come in from various funding sources, the Borough of Oakland finally purchased the Heritage Hills property in the spring of 2011. Yet, the economy was still not back to a healthy state and while still supportive of the idea, the Mayor and Council said that the dog park idea would need to wait a few years until economic conditions improved and all other things on the Heritage Hills site were squared away.
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In early 2012, with the inauguration of a new Mayor, a focus was put on getting things in motion for the Heritage Hills property. I was approached by Recreation Commission head Mike Guadagnino who had known and heard about my efforts from the new Mayor and from various other citizens in town to get a dog park in Oakland. Work started on getting a formal idea and plan put together and a committee to lead the efforts. However, for me, the project took a different turn when my mom, Jill, the person who gave me inspiration to try and build the park, passed away in August 2012 due to cancer. Since then, I have decided to name the park in her memory and while it would need to be formally approved by the Mayor and Council, all indications are that this proposed name would be accepted.
The 40 plus acre property was then given the name Great Oak Park, a Borough committee was formed to oversee the development efforts, the Sports Association of Oakland signed on to be the bank for fundraising efforts, and public hearings were held to inform the public and gather feedback and thoughts. |
My mother Jill and our dog Scooby. From 2011.
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Myself with Mr. Miller (L) after printing out the fundraising envelopes and letters in December 2016.
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Since then, it took about three years to figure out where exactly a dog park could go on the property, what regulations would need to be followed in reopening the property, what work had to be done to get the Park opened to the public in the first place, and what the Borough of Oakland needed to do before any other work could move forward.
It took until May 2016 for me to formally receive Great Oak Park Committee approval and I received a verbal approval from the Mayor and Council to continue my efforts with the dog park planning and fundraising process. Starting in December 2016, fundraising has begun for the dog park project and a combination of fundraised dollars and commitments of donated labor equaling somewhere between $80,000 and $100,000 are needed for me to move onto the next stage. Once that happens, the Park Committee will need to also have enough funds on their own to complete the immediate related-to projects (trees removed, parking areas ready, safe crossings over streams, etc.) and then the Park Committee and I will go before the Mayor and Council to see formal approval to finally construct the dog park we all have been waiting for. Once receiving that approval to go, work can then start on the dog park and other related-to projects and when those are all done, Oakland can finally have its very own dog park. |
On May 13, 2020, the Oakland Borough Council approved the dog park plans by a voice vote and a formal resolution was to be passed on May 27, 2020. Construction started in the summer and fall of 2020 with trees being removed, asphalt and concrete lifted and removed, boulders placed, and both dog park sections leveled.
We have raised approximately $50,000 in monetary donations and approximately $55,000 of in-kind and pledged donations of material and labor have been given towards the dog park efforts. Fencing, trees, signs, mulch and other plants were installed in the spring of 2021 and the dog park is had its ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 8, 2021 after 12 years and 2 months of tireless efforts to make the dog park a reality.
To learn more about Ryan Schwertfeger, you can visit his website by clicking here.
We have raised approximately $50,000 in monetary donations and approximately $55,000 of in-kind and pledged donations of material and labor have been given towards the dog park efforts. Fencing, trees, signs, mulch and other plants were installed in the spring of 2021 and the dog park is had its ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 8, 2021 after 12 years and 2 months of tireless efforts to make the dog park a reality.
To learn more about Ryan Schwertfeger, you can visit his website by clicking here.
Media Coverage
(c) 2021 Dog Park for Oakland, NJ
