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ABOUT US / / HISTORY / BOARD MEMBERS / PRESIDENT'S REPORT MISSION STATEMENT February 20, 2003 -- At a meeting in Hermon, the city's Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) accepts a community proposal to change the name of the Arroyo Seco Park located off Via Marisol to "Hermon Park in the Arroyo Seco" in time for the community's centennial celebration that summer. Discussions also begin with elected officials regarding placing the first city dog park in Northeast L.A. within Hermon. May 22, 2003 -- City Council District 14 officials and RAP staff members meet with interested parties to measure community support for the dog park in Hermon -- support was overwhelming. June 24, 2003 -- Outgoing Councilmember Nick Pacheco lists Hermon Dog Park in his transition memo as a funded project ready for review under the California Evironmental Quality Act (CEQA). July 1, 2004 -- New Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa, in his 12-month report lists Hermon Dog Park among his staff's accomplishments. January 2005 -- RAP's CEQA report finds "no significant unavoidable adverse impacts associated with the project." April 29, 2005 -- Groundbreaking for the first dog park in Northeast Los Angeles. July 16, 2005 -- Grand opening of the Hermon Dog Park. September 30, 2005 -- Friends of Hermon Dog Park, now a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization, is organized by original members of the Hermon Dog Park Formation Committee nearly three years after work began to place a dog park here. BOARD MEMBER BIOS Wendi lives with her husband Joseph, son Hans, and her dog Lily. Lezle Stein, Co-President Lezle’s extensive experience also includes American Red Cross certification in Pet First Aid and CPR. She has also participated with her own dog Lucie Bell in obedience, agility, and shepherding training. A firm believer in community involvement, Lezle is a volunteer adoption counselor at North Central Los Angeles city shelter as well as at Downtown Dog Rescue -- Los Angeles’ rescue group for homeless people and their dogs -- where she also is a dog rehabilitator. Lezle has studied with Dr. Nancy Scanlon, who specializes in holistic
veterinary medicine through acupuncture and herbs. She continues her education
through frequent seminars and training with Lucie Bell, who has become
her faithful “demo dog” companion. Phone: (323) 225-6700. Sherry Uribe, Secretary Ursula Brown, Treasurer Animal welfare has always been close to her heart, from her childhood spent with farm animals to seeing how some people neglect or abandon their animals when they move. In an effort to advance animal welfare and contribute to a better community, Ursula originally spearheaded the effort to establish an off-leash dog park in Eagle Rock. Unable to locate suitable land in Eagle Rock, but with solid support from city agencies, the cause was picked up by the community of Hermon who successfully carried it to completion. Ursula’s professional and community affiliations are: Member of
Northeast L.A./Glendale Board of Realtors; Fraternal Order of the Eagles
Auxiliary; Eagle Rock Lions Club; Eagle Rock Center for the Arts; B.L.E.N.D.;
Damenchor Frohsinn; Officer, Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce; Board Member,
Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful; Board Member, Northeast Awareness
Team (NEAT). Mark Forbes A self-proclaimed animal lover, Mark grew up with dogs, cats, fish, and even a few lizards. After moving to Highland Park in 2004, he rescued "Roadie", a Rhodesian Ridgeback/German Shepherd mix, from the North Hollywood Shelter. Since then, Mark and Roadie have been regular visitors at the Hermon Dog Park.
Mark started a career in multimedia after college and continues to produce websites for major entertainment companies. When he's not bathed in the glow of a computer screen or running with Roadie, Mark likes to spend his free time entertaining friends and working on his house.
Christine Offutt Tatiana Lonny 2007 ANNUAL President's Report from Friends of Hermon Dog Park Thanks to your support, the Friends of Hermon Dog Park have been able to accomplish a great deal since the dog park opened in July of 2005. First, we got our 501(c)3 non-profit status and set out to help people know where the Hermon Dog Park is. We blanketed doggie destinations Websites with information and directions, invited people to monthly "Yappy Hours" to get people to the dog park, and to introduce ourselves. Friends of Hermon Dog Park T-shirts and doggie bandanas have been made to get the word all over L.A. and beyond. We've had booths at Pasadena Humane Society's Wiggle Waggle Walk, Eagle Rock's Concerts in the Park, the upcoming El Sereno Concert and Fireworks Show, and marched as the "Santa Paws Squad" in the Northeast Los Angeles Holiday Parade. Then, we began educating people and their dogs. Puppies had "Puppy Parties," where young ones and their owners learned dog park etiquette. Large pet fairs were organized where dogs (and cats) were adopted into loving homes, and pet services like trainers and pet walkers were found. In cooperation with the Arroyo Seco Foundation and the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, four dog waste-bag dispensers and rolls of bags were purchased, placed in the large and small dog park areas and around the Arroyo Seco. Also, the L.A. Stormwater Program has often joined our "Yappy Hour" to remind us that dog waste pollution can simply be "bagged up". Lastly, we've been able to help like-minded organizations with donations to Downtown Dog Rescue and the Pasadena Humane Society as well as get supplies to the North Central shelter in Los Angeles. We have a strong and talented Board of Directors - - Ursula Brown, Sherry Uribe, Mark Forbes, Christine Offutt, and Tatiana Lonny -- who have worked with us tirelessly to see visions become realities. There are many more great plans on the horizon, foremost getting more shade in the dog park. We are working with Councilmember Jose Huizar's office and the Department of Recreation and Parks on that right now. Thank you for your generous support of money, time and spirit. Together we have seen many things get done that couldn't have ever been done without you. We look forward to the future of the Friends of Hermon Dog Park and the dog park we support. Because it's all about the dogs! Wendi Riser, Lezle Stein, Co-Presidents | |
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