Dog Park Association Helps Balance Budget

Due to the economic downturn, the City of Fort Worth is undertaking the tough task of cutting its budget to the bone. Of course, when the dogs of Fort Woof hear the word “bone,” their ears perk up. They want to help!

At the June 22, 2010, Fort Worth City Council Meeting, Fort Woof Mayor Tsunami the Nominator will present a $2,000 donation from the Fort Worth Dog Park Association to help off set the 2010 operating budget for Fort Woof Dog Park. This amount is 5.5% of last year's operating budget.

Don't worry. The City is not talking about closing Fort Woof. Indeed, the City has been very supportive of Fort Woof given the fact that it is one of the most used parks in town. But the dogs of Fort Woof just want to show they were willing to tighten their collars and lend a helping paw to the City Council during this tough budget process.

The Fort Worth Dog Park Association will also undertake to engage volunteers to lend a paw to offset the City's responsibilities, which will also hopefully save money. It's up to dogs and their families to keep Fort Woof great! Stay tuned.

Join Tsunami the Nominator in presenting the donation to the City of Fort Worth at the city council meeting at 10:30 am, June 22, 2010, at the Fort Worth City Council Chambers, City Hall, 1000 Throckmorton, Fort Worth, Texas, 76102. Just look for Tsunami and join us in the presentation.

Andrea Benua Fund Update

We are now moving forward with our tribute to Andrea Benua and her beloved dogs Artimus & Mallory. Andrea and the dogs accidentally drowned in a frozen Fort Worth pond in January.

Arrangements are being made to install a park bench on a concrete pad with a plaque in the park this summer. This fall we will also plant a shade tree near the bench.

On behalf of the Fort Worth Dog Park Association/Andrea Fund, we thank you for your generous donations. We would also like to extend a special thank you to A-Animal Clinic of Fort Worth, Three Dog Bakery in Southlake and Glamour Paws of Fort Worth for their efforts on our behalf.

Andrea supported the park and she embodied the universal love we all share for our canine companions and the great joy they bring to our daily lives.

Fort Woof recognized as the great place our dogs already sniff it to be

Two national magazines—Southern Living and Dog Fancy—threw Fort Woof a big bone, naming it one of the top dog parks to visit. read more

Fort Woof Voted Best North Texas Dog Park 2009

WFAA ran a "best of" contest for the DFW metroplex this summer. You voted, Fort Woof wins!! Thank you for making Fort Woof the "Best North Texas Dog Park!" read more

Let’s thank our city leaders for Fort Woof!

When someone gives you a nice gift, it's only polite to thank them. The Fort Worth City Council voted to create Fort Woof and has continued too support it with funding. Please take a moment to share your appreciation for the city’s creation and continued support of Fort Woof and maybe include your favorite Fort Woof story. In December 2003, Mayor Mike Moncrief, Councilman Frank Moss (District 5) and Councilwoman Wendy Davis (District 9) were on the Council and voted for the creation of Fort Woof, so be sure to give them a special thanks. Just say thanks!

Mayor Mike Moncrief	mike.moncrief@fortworthgov.org
Councilman Sal Espino	district2@fortworthgov.org
Councilman W.B. "Zim" Zimmerman	district3@fortworthgov.org
Councilman Danny Scarth	district4@fortworthgov.org (represents the area including Fort Woof)
Councilman Frank Moss	district5@fortworthgov.org
Councilman Jungas Jordan	district6@fortworthgov.org
Councilman Carter Burdette	district7@fortworthgov.org
Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks	district8@fortworthgov.org
Councilwoman Joel Burns	district9@fortworthgov.org
Council staff	mayorcouncilwebmail@fortworthgov.org

Let's invite Bo Obama to Fort Woof!

The Fort Worth Dog Park Association, through Fort Woof Mayor Tsunami the Nominator, cordially invites First Dog Bo Obama to Fort Woof Dog Park.  This is an open invitation for when Bo Obama and his family next visit North Texas. Bo Obama seems to be a fun pup, and since he is over 4 months old, he is old enough to visit the park. (The Rules provide that dogs that visit Fort Woof must be over four months old, be current on their shots and follow other rules of good behavior while visiting Fort Woof).

All dogs are treated like "First Dog" at Fort Woof.  Of course, Fort Woof is a non"pawtisan" place where all races, colors and breeds are welcome.

Join our Facebook group 1,000 Strong to invite First Dog Bo Obama to Fort Woof Dog Park and show your support!

New Mayor named in 2008 Barktoberfest election

Tsunami wins with a Tsunami of votes

Nine candidates, over $4800 in votes, but the winner was clear: Tsunami the Nominator. Tsunami and his campaign manager, Cheryl Halla, took over the race in five short days making history as the fastest climbing Fort Woof mayoral candidate. Tsunami joined the race on Monday, swiftly acquiring votes all week culminating in a landslide at Saturday's Barktoberfest election. (more election results)

$10,000 Check!

On Saturday, April 21, 2007, Mayor Isabella Hutchinson of Fort Woof proudly presented Mayor Moncrief of Fort Worth with a check for $10,000 for improvements and maintenance at Fort Woof. Mayor Moncrief graciously shook paws with Mayor Isabella (elected last October at Barktoberfest) and the rest of the hound council. He spoke about the value Fort Woof has brought to the city thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Fort Worth Dog Park Association. Councilman Danny Scarth, representative for the Gateway Park area, District 4, also attended.

Mayor Moncrief presented three awards to volunteers for their continuing contribution to Fort Woof’s success. Dale Taylor of the Fort Worth Parks and Community Service Department is the head grounds keeper for Fort Woof, Audrey Prince distributes rules and regulations to park goers, and Jon and Juli Hill of ILUJON Inc. maintain the website. Thanks to these volunteers and many others who make Fort Woof possible, and thanks to the City of Fort Worth for their ongoing support of the “pet project.”

Jason CN Smith Honored

May 9 Proclaimed Jason CN Smith, Mondale, and Super Girl Day!

May 9, 2006. The Fort Worth City Council declared May 9 as Jason CN Smith, Mondale, and Super Girl Day in honor of Jason’s hard work in working to create and raise money for the park and for on-going support of the park. (Jason is the human pet to Mondale and Super Girl.) Jason’s response to the honor?

“All I can say is not just WOW, but BOW-WOW!!”

Becky Haskins Honored as Fort Woof’s Guardian Angel

May 9, 2006. Jason CN Smith presented Councilwoman Becky Haskins with a plaque honoring her as Fort Woof’s guardian angel.

Smith Honors Haskins

April 29 Proclaimed Fort Woof Dog Park Day!

April 22, 2006. The Texas Legislature issued a resolution declaring April 29 Fort Woof Day in Texas in honor of Fort Woof being recognized as the #1 Dog Park in the U.S. by Dog Fancy Magazine and Deramaxx.

State Representative Marc Veasey, who represents District 95 which encompasses Fort Woof, sponsored the resolution. We would like to thank Representative Veasey for his history of support for Fort Woof.

Click here to see the resolution on the legislature’s website.

Fort Woof is #1!

April 17, 2006. Last year we were #2, and this year we are the number one dog park in America, according to Dog Fancy magazine readers. As a result, the park will receive a $2,500 grant for park improvements from Novartis Animal Health and Deramaxx.

Click here to read full story dogchannel.com.

Dog Parkers Deliver $9,000 to City of Fort Worth

December 13, 2005. Fulfilling its commitment to the City of Fort Worth for building Fort Woof Dog Park, the Fort Worth Dog Park Association presented a check for $9,000 for the benefit of Fort Woof.

The Fort Worth City Council voted to build Fort Woof Dog Park and challenged its supporters to raise money to defray its costs. With today's donation, the Fort Worth Dog Park Association has donated $25,000 to the City of Fort Worth to defray the costs of Fort Woof.

Click here for details.

Fort Woof Named Second Best Dog Park in U.S.

Dog Fancy Magazine and Deramaxx recently named the Top 10 Dog Parks in the United States. After reviewing over 700 dog parks, Fort Woof was determined to be the second best dog park in the United States! As a result, Fort Woof will receive a $10,000 grant for improvements to Fort Woof.

On Saturday June 4, 2005, there was a ceremony at Fort Woof to mark this honor. The ceremony was followed by a demonstration by nationally recognized agility trainer Chris Dyer and his agility dogs Reilly and Reagan. Golden Retriever Rescue was on hand to provide a low cost microchipping clinic. Thanks to you, the Fort Woof volunteers and the City of Fort Worth parks staff and City Council for making Fort Woof one of the best dog parks in the nation!

Fort Worth Dog Park Association Gives City $6,000

Also: Fort Woof Mayor Inauguration!

On November 7, 2004, the Fort Worth Dog Park Association presented a check to Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief in the amount of $6,000. The Fort Worth Dog Park Association raised the money to defray costs associated with the construction and maintenance of Fort Woof. Thanks to everyone who came out to the presentation and who volunteered to raise the funds. Everyone's dog appreciates it!

At the meeting, the new Mayor of Fort Woof, Gigi, was inaugurated. Gigi, who lives with Fort Worth City Council Person Becky Haskin, won the mayoral election that was held at Fort Woof's Barktoberfest on October 23. In the election, Gigi won by having the most "votes" (i.e., contributions to support Fort Woof). Congrats Gigi!