Dog Park for Oakland, NJ
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PROGRESS.

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Dog Park Opens! Read Dog Park Committee Chairman Ryan Schwertfeger's Speech (as prepared for delivery)

5/9/2021

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Thank you. It is a privilege to be part of a great day for the Borough of Oakland. We are honored to have Rev. Stammer, Rev. Provencher, Park Chairman Mike Guadagnino, Mayor Schwager, Assemblywoman DeFuccio, Senator Schepisi, and Congressman Gottheimer with us today. I also want to personally thank the many friends and family here who have come out to celebrate this occasion. And I especially want to thank the hundreds of Oakland residents, local supporters, volunteers, and behind-the-scenes helpers who have made this dog park possible.

I’m sure most of you will likely remember that famous line from a the Tootsie Roll Pop commercial which asks: “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop?” You may not know that engineering students at Purdue University built a licking machine to answer that question. They discovered that on average, their machine needed 364 licks to get to the center of the Tootsie Roll pop. I’ve been dealing with a similar question that was unsolved for many years: “How long does it take to build a dog park in Oakland?” I now know the answer. It takes 12 years and two months.

Early in 2009, we had just rescued our dog, Scooby. My mother, Jill, suggested that for my eighth-grade community project at Valley Middle School, I should investigate what it would take to build a dog park in Oakland. I thought I had a simple but effective plan. Within a few months, I collectedgot 700 petition signatures and even received some support from Borough Council members. But then I learned that my proposed location, which is now known as Stewart’s Woods, would not work as a dog park site. Instead, I was told to wait until the Borough completed the purchase of 40 acres at what was formerly Pleasureland and Muller’s Park, because a dog park could go there. I remember my disappointment when then-Councilwoman Karen Marcalus told me graciously but honestly, “Ryan, it’s probably not going to be done until you graduate from high school.”

Even after the Borough purchased what is now Great Oak Park in 2011, there were many obstacles to overcome. Then, in 2012, we learned that my mother, who had inspired this project, had cancer on her abdominal wall. She unfortunately succumbed to the cancer and went home to the Lord in August of that year. Amidst our mourning, I honestly considered giving up this project. But after a few days, it dawned on me that this dog park would indeed have to go forward. It just had to. And it would be in honor of my mother.

When I was born, my mom decided that she would wanted to be a stay-at-home mother. It was so important to her to have bonding time with me, and especially after I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, she and my father, Dirk, wanted to make sure I was getting the support and attention I needed from my teachers and from other professionals. My mom was not on any boards or committees in town, but she quietly made a difference. I remember many occasions when, after picking me up at school, she would have me run out of the car and drop off food she had made for a local family who had fallen on hard times on their doorstep. In today’s terms, you could say she was a personal Meals-on-Wheels service and I was the Uber Eats delivery boy.

Scooby soon also became a partner in my mother’s community service. She got him certified as a therapy dog and started taking Scooby him to local senior care centers and rehab facilities, to bring a smile and some comfort to people who really needed it. She also participated in a program at the Oakland Public Library, where children would read to Scooby, because some children feel more comfortable talking to animals than to other people when learning to read. My mom was a quiet but exemplary inspiration to many. I am honored that with the approval of Oakland Borough Council, this new facility will be officially known henceforth as the Jill Schwertfeger Memorial Dog Park.

The road from August 2012 to today was monumental, with more challenges than I could ever have imagined. It included waiting on environmental reviews, holding town hall meetings, conducting fundraising, finding vendors and donors, and working closely with our wonderful partners — the Borough Council, the staff at Borough Hall, Mike Guadagnino and the park Great Oak Park Committee, and , donors and companies that could volunteer their services. All of that while trying to work with the Mike and Park Committee to make sure we were working together and in a correct progress order to open Great Oak Park to the public and also working alongside Jim Folkerts and along with the rest of those serving and everyone involved with the Sports Association of Oakland, which served which as they acted as our bank for the funds we raised were raising. I also want to acknowledge the amazing work  who acted as our non-profit bank to ensure fundraisers were being set up the right way and that our fundraised dollars were correctly put away to start amassing a fund for future construction.

However, the biggest surge of progress came at just the right time. I had just graduated from college in the spring of 2017 and it became clear that final approvals I needed were coming up very shortly and fundraising efforts needed to kick into high gear. We have had some members come and go over the years, but we’ve had a core group serve as members of our the Dog Park Fundraising Subcommittee. Through their tireless efforts and their connections, With their assistance, we were able to raise almost $50,000tens of thousands of dollars. Would the members of that the subcommittee who are here today please wave raise your hand so we can all recognize you?

In addition to the nearly helping with event planning, fundraising, coordination, finding donors and even applying for grants. I thank you immensely from the bottom of my heart and I’d like to ask that these fine ladies and gentlemen please recognize themselves in the audience so we can all thank you for your countless hours of volunteerism and efforts to help me make this dog park a reality.

With this group’s help, the dog park efforts exploded onto the scene here in Oakland and by late 2017, we were starting to hold craft shows, sell dog park supporter magnets, having a dessert night, selling dog park merchandise, holding restaurant nights, and even more and we raised thousands of dollars doing so. While I believe I would have been able to do some of these things operating as a committee of one with some help from family and some friends, it absolutely would not have been as successful, as impactful, or as well executed without the help of all of these committee members and without the love, support and encouragement of the dog park supporters who bought and displayed a magnet, purchased a T-shirt, or shopped at one of our craft shows. $50,000 in cash we raised, approximately $55,000 of free or discounted donated labor and services were donated for this project. I’d like to use this time to ask that anyone here who donated volunteer hours towards construction or design of the dog park to raise your hand now so we can publicly thank you as well.

This long journey has taught me that to achieve a difficult goal, you need three Ps, in this order: Prayer, Perseverance, and Patience. You need prayer to ask God to work in your life, guide you into what you can and should be doing, and give you wisdom. You need perseverance to keep going even when things look bleak, abysmal, and hopeless. And you need lots of patience when things don’t happen as fast as you would like because the world does not revolve around you and your priorities.

This dog park is named in memory of one unsung hero, my mother. But I would like it also to serve as a symbol of the many unsung heroes, volunteers, and community members who make Oakland the wonderful Borough that it is. So many of you do essential things to keep Oakland running, not for personal benefit or recognition but out of the goodness of your heart, just as my mom, Jill Schwertfeger did. Even though your name may not be on the dog park sign, I would like you to feel that this park is also dedicated to you.

Again, thank you for coming to this ceremony. May God bless you all for your love, support, kindness, and prayers, and may God forever bless the Jill Schwertfeger Memorial Dog Park in the wonderful Borough of Oakland, New Jersey.
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Photos taken by Grace Nappi, Ken Porro, and State Sen. Holly Schepisi's Office
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Dog Park Almost Ready to Open!

4/18/2021

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After more than 12 years of delays, fundraising, seeking approvals, and construction, Oakland's first dog park is almost ready to open! There are three key things to be aware of as the dog park is less than a month away from opening:
  • Planting Day
    • A planting day is scheduled for April 24th at 10am at the dog park site within Great Oak Park, Oakland, NJ. Volunteers are needed to help plant the remaining plants, pick up trash, and spread mulch in the planting areas. Please bring your own equipment and RSVP ahead of time so we are aware who is coming and who can bring what. You can RSVP by clicking here: https://forms.gle/fFTYq6h1jcYEyDGd7
  • Dog Park Registration
    • In order to use the dog park, residents and non-residents alike will need to register their dogs with the Borough of Oakland and pay a yearly fee. The money taken in through the fee will be used solely for upkeep of the dog park and for future additions and improvements as the years go on. Registration will be done through Community Pass (https://register.communitypass.net/OaklandBorough) though people without internet can also call the Recreation Office at 201-337-8111 ext.2068. The cost for Oakland residents is $10 per year per dog and is $20 per year per dog for non-residents. Dogs must be licensed in your municipality in order to use the Oakland dog park.
  • Dog Park Opening
    • The big opening is planned for May 8 at 1pm at the dog park site, with the rain date of May 9, also at 1pm. If the rain date is to be used, it will be announced on this website and on our social media. We have several speakers lined up as well. Please note that you MUST RSVP in order to attend the opening as we need an estimate of how many people will be coming due to COVID restrictions in place in New Jersey. You can RSVP for the event by clicking here: forms.gle/WiLb73Ney3gYiSqa9
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Winter Fundraisers for Dog Park to Conclude Fundraising Efforts

12/11/2020

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The Dog Park Fundraising Subcommittee, which falls underneath the Borough of Oakland's Great Oak Park Committee, is announcing three fundraisers which will take place in December 2020 through February 2021.

“While we have enough funds at this time to finish constructing the dog park, we have trimmed down the budget in order to ensure we have at least a functioning dog park open and ready for the public to enjoy in the Spring of 2021 after what will be 12 years of prayer, patience, and perseverance,” said Dog Park Subcommittee Chairman Ryan Schwertfeger. “Raising additional funds will provide for additional plants, dog park play obstacles, and benches on the dog park site to make the experience more enjoyable for all.”

To raise the additional funds needed, a Restaurant Night has been agreed to with the well-known and well-liked Oakland eatery, the Oakland Diner. For those dining in and taking out (no deliveries) on Monday, December 21, 2020, 20% of the sales from that day will go towards the dog park efforts. The subcommittee encourages everyone to participate in this fundraiser as it not only benefits the dog park, but it supports local restaurants which is so important during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The subcommittee is also working on launching an online apparel sale where supporters can buy various items with the dog park logo and Oakland dog park branding. The online store and the printing of the items will be done by an Oakland resident who runs the company Mac’s Custom Apparel. The profits from the sale, which will take place online at a time to be announced in the near future, also will go towards the dog park efforts.

Wyckoff chocolate store Chocolate Etc. is also sponsoring a Dog Park Day on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Those that make a purchase at their store and mention the Oakland Dog Park at checkout will receive 10% off your purchase and the dog park will receive 10% of the sales at the store that day. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, getting something for a special someone can benefit a FLOW area business, the dog park, and make for a yummy Valentine’s Day gift.

The Dog Park Subcommittee is also looking to hold a silent auction in early 2021 on their Facebook page as they want to auction off remaining items from previous silent auctions and tricky tray events that did not sell. Supporters are asked to keep watch on the Dog Park’s social media pages for more information.

“We look forward to teaming up with local businesses during this tough time as we hope it's a win/win for everyone,” said Dog Park Subcommittee Event Coordinator Josephine Kukla. “We're also looking for volunteers to help with planting plants in the spring and possibly look at holding one more large fundraiser in 2021 - COVID permitting.”

The Dog Park is planning on opening to the public on or close to Mother's Day 2021.
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Dog Park Tree Removal and Excavation Work

10/17/2020

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Dog Park Approved for Construction by Oakland Borough Council

5/19/2020

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It took 11 years and 2 months, but the dog park I’ve long proposed for Oakland has finally been approved by the Oakland Borough Council! A voice vote of approval was given on May 13th and a formal written resolution is on the council’s agenda for May 27th.

Since we started fundraising in 2016, We’ve raised over $37,000 in cash donations and approximately $48,000 in pledged or donated labor and materials. As with everything in Great Oak Park, it is an amazing accomplishment to say that none of the park’s development has required the Oakland taxpayer to spend a dime.

Over the coming months, I will of course keep you abreast of site developments and progress. Some progress may seem a bit slow, but keep in mind that some the labor and materials are being donated and contractors and donations will come in and be done when possible. I think it is very safe to say at this point that the dog park should be done before the end of the year, but an exact date to say it will be done or when it would open to the public obviously depends on when the Great Oak Park Committee will have completed the entry driveway and parking lot repaving and what the limitations are on public gatherings in the midst of this COVID-19 epidemic.

At this current time, the dog park committee is officially wrapping up the majority of our fundraising as we have enough funds to proceed with construction. If additional funds remain in our account at the end of construction, we will use it to purchase benches, amenities, additional plants, etc. for the dog park. To that end, we also plan to keep our donation boxes out in public until the dog park is complete so that those donated funds can also be spent towards park improvements. It is not confirmed, but it is also possible that one last fundraising event will be held at the end of the year or in early 2021 to purchase additional dog park amenities.

We are also encouraging any dog park supporters who have considered donating but have not done so at this point, and to those who wanted to donate more but was waiting for council approval before donating, to please donate as soon as possible. We will be transferring our funds from the Sports Association of Oakland (the 501c3 organization that has graciously acted as our bank for fundraising efforts) to the Borough at a time in the very near future and we would like to ensure that as much of our funds as possible are transferred over in one shot instead of receiving last minute donations in a slow drip process. To donate, go to the dog park website at www.dogpark4oaklandnj.org/donate and follow the instructions to properly mail in a check.

I thank everyone for their support and I’m living proof that with prayer, patience, and perseverance, anything is possible!
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    (c) 2021 Dog Park for Oakland, NJ

    Ryan Schwertfeger

    Founder, project leader and Oakland dog park advocate since March 2009. Now a college graduate wanting to complete his 8th grade project from Valley Middle School for the humans and dogs of his community.
    ryanschwertfeger.com

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