Dogs are Taxpayers Too. The Future of Dog Parks in Your Community.

Why would you consider dogs to be taxpayers? I mean how can we bestow that power to a thing that drools, rolls in poop, and humps the occasional leg?

I'll tell you why. Because they are driving the bus. Believe it or not, people are choosing where they live, where they work, what career path they'll take, how they spend leisure time and money, which companies to shop from, AND...how to get ROI.

I can assure you that #dollarsfollowdogs . So does the kind of inclusiveness, vibrancy, empathy, entrepreneurialism, and business scaling that is possible when we accept that dogs have us by the collar, and we should embrace it. If you missed the free mini course, The Future of Dog Parks, you can watch it here.

Hold on, you're in for the ride of your life. If you think dogs are amazing creatures, just wait and see what they are capable of when we finally give them a chance to show us.

That brings me to my point. Forward-thinking professionals can see the paw on the wall (writing pun). A number of innovators are not only a part of the progress of SMART Dog Park, but they also bring immense expertise and experience with them.

To name a few...

• David Moliterno at WSF - our first official partner and member and source of years of experience and solutions (Dave is also a student on the platform.),
• Carmen Rustenbeck at International Boarding and Pet Services Association supporting her members' drive to innovate and create revenue through play in smart ways,
• Anthony Iracki, MS, CPRP at mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association who is seeking out and providing cutting-edge thinking for ambitious CEU-seeking pros in parks and recreation, {{{Webinar 1/19 for mParks members and nonmembers. DM me for details and connections.}}}
• Kerry C. at TailChasers? who is redefining safety and hydration management though innovations like Spleash,
• Mike Bober, CAE with his unique 50,000-foot perspective on national topics affecting the pet space in its entirety through Pet Advocacy Network ,
• Ross Barker with Michelson Found Animals Foundation and his passion for pet inclusiveness that is a North Star for our thinking,
• American Association of Pet Parents | AAPP as we see them embrace new ways to enrich the pet-human bond. SMART Dog Park is a natural colleague of better pet parenting.
• Tom Van Winkle with ASSOCIATION OF SHELTER VETERINARIANS INC as we strive to clear a path for better outcomes for pets in our communities,
• Reboundog , driven for difference making by Spencer B. Hodgetts has connected stellar gurus with SMART Dog Park in ways I could not have imagined,
• Kathy Tarochione?? with her brilliant The Golden Life Community LLC initiative. I'm so honored to be part of a new day in senior women life journeys through dog-centric thinking.

Okay, I'll stop. I'm just ridiculously excited about this. I'll continue this conversation and keep sharing the innovators of SMART Dog Park as they connect as members, sponsors, partners, students, and experts. Those are just a few to mention. My message is this. Your organization's plan to succeed should include a process to include the impact alongside dog friendliness - and dog parks in particular.

Industries such as parks and recreation are on the front lines of challenges, opportunities, and leadership. If you think that trends affecting parks and recreation is small potatoes (chihuahua size), think again. The outdoor recreation economy accounted for?1.9 percent ($454.0 billion) of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) for the nation in 2021. (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)). Guess what segment of park visitors are incredibly active users. Come on. Guess. I'll wait.

(Hint: dog people who vote) Yep, that's who is stopping by, many cases more than once daily, spreading the story of your brand, deciding how to characterize the play space you've worked so hard to create and maintain, and yes...they are voting with dogs in mind...even if they don't have one in their life. Are you prepared to answer the question: Where can I take my dog?

If you pay federal taxes, you are supporting parks & rec. In some communities, you are likely the lifeblood of connections to the outdoors. According to Five Rivers MetroParks , "the replacement levy funds approximately [????] 80 percent of MetroParks’ work to protect and maintain local green space and waterways, as well as its work to provide clean, safe parks and opportunities for residents of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and have healthy, active lifestyles." We rely on so much from those who champion recreation and our natural heritage, and they rely on the public – on you, the voters. Those puppy pocketbooks can be a real difference maker.

According to the Trust for Public Land , "we’ve seen a 40 percent increase in dog parks" since 2009. That number was from 2017. I would venture a guess that the number has skyrocketed to new heights here in 2023. The definition of dog park is evolving and it's forcing us to rethink our relationship with land stewardship, operations, and the myriad of new ways to be enriched by play spaces. To accommodate our morphing culture of "dog children," we need to be forward thinking about how to be equitable when so much weight is given to the opinion of a Golden Retriever.

I invite you to the conversation. I'd love to know your thoughts on this. This platform is only as valuable as its people. People just like you. Connect, follow me (hit that little bell), and dig into The Future of Dog Parks: Dog Park Expert Community . Join the group and check out my nonprofit organization that will benefit from the proceeds of SDP! I want to make this so successful that Wagtown Consulting is self-funded to help in big ways without draining local resources.

Just to be clear, we're talking about changing the world through wagging tails and intelligent strategies for growth. If that sounds like your niche, I invite you to join me at SMARTDogPark.com. Sign up to stay in the loop. I've learned a lot while becoming the #DogFriendlyExpert?. Let's put all of that know-how and collaboration together and make the wag happen.

Tell your dog I said hi and keep wagging,

Beth – Creator of SMART Dog Park? and Founder of Wagtown, 501(c)(3)