MORRISTOWN, N.J., - August 19, 2002 – A group of responsible dog owners have formed MARDog, a non-profit organization to develop an off-leash public dog park in the Morristown Area. MARDog was legally formed on August 4, 2002 as "The Morristown Area Responsible Dog Owner’s Group." MARDog is headed by Alison A. Deeb, business consultant, and backed by Trustees, Officers and an Advisory Council. MARDog will speak at the Morristown Town Council meeting Tuesday, August 20 at 7:30 pm at 200 South St.

"An off leash dog park is a community need and asset" said Deeb, owner of black Labrador retriever Max. "There is no place in town to play fetch without getting dirty looks or a summons. A petition to build the park was started in February, and the group now has 300 signatures, up from 150 just a few months ago. Momentum is building and the formation of MARDog shows that we are serious, responsible, and believe in the growing public need and benefit."

MARDog would like to partner with the Morris County Park Commission to advise in the park’s development and assist in fundraising.

MARDog will work with local government officials to better understand the public benefits of dog parks as well as dog park usage and etiquette, and is planning a hearing in Madison as well as with the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

MARDog will help the towns and Park Commission understand the factors involved in park development such as liability, health, safety, maintenance, usage, and noise. MARDog believes the benefits far outweigh the costs and that dog parks build a sense of community; break down social barriers; promote cleanliness; and increase licensing revenues. Already MARDog has encouraged several sponsors to license their dogs. In 1999, there were 253 dog parks, and now there are 623 parks according to web site www.dogpark.com. "It is safe to say there is a ‘national outcry’ for enclosed places to play safely with dogs," says MARDog legal advisor Deirdre Wheatley-Liss of Fein, Such, Kahn, and Shepard, PC in Parsippany.

MARDog’s mission is to promote the development of a two-acre dog park in the Morristown Area friendly to canines and their owners, with a balance of shade and sun. The preferred site is Loantaka Park, down the street from the Seaton Hackney Horse Farm, an area already exposed to animal scents and smells. Recent statistics show pet dog ownership on the rise with a current estimate of 5000 dogs in the Morristown Area yet the closest parks in Bernards Twp. and Randolph are only for residents of those towns. In total, NJ has 15 dog park facilities. For many owners, going to a dog park is their chosen form of outdoor recreation just as baseball, biking, swimming or soccer are to park users. "If the town is going to issue summons, then the town should provide a place where we can go. These animals are part of Morristown’s culture and are embraced by large segments of the community" said Deeb. "It’s the least we can do."

MARDog is establishing an Advisory Council comprised of dog park planners, veterinarians, trainers and environmentalists.

MARDog is working with Prime Environmental in Morris Plains to explore innovative ways to manage health and maintenance issues such as waste composting stations and waste bag dispensers. "Dog parks are just as important for humans as they are for canines and it really is just a fenced-in park for people with dogs" Deeb said. MARDog is looking for supporters to sign its petition, visit its booth at the Morristown Street Festival on Sept. 29th, 2003 and share in the Halloween Parade on Oct 26th, 2003.