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Woofs and Wags from NOLA City Bark BARK BITS April 20, 2010 We are approaching the last week-end in April and first week-end in May, and all of us in New Orleans know what that means - Jazz Fest. This newsletter will touch on how that affects you at NOLA City Bark. First, traffic and parking in City Park are very heavy on Jazz Fest week-ends. In addition, the rugby field across Magnolia Drive from the dog park entry will be used for Jazz Fest shuttle parking April 23-25, 29-30 and May 1-2. "Festival Productions" will be putting signs in our lot stating that parking in that area is for dog park users only, but we cannot guarantee that parking will be available for you on the above dates. Shuttle service to Jazz Fest will probably start at about 10am, so if you want to visit the dog park, be sure to come early in the morning.As far as we know, there will be no street closures around the dog park. Second, other than great live music, fantastic food and folk art, Jazz Fest also brings us HOUSEGUESTS! If your home is anything like mine, many of those houseguests will arrive with dogs. As much as you would like to get Uncle Bubba's Bluetick Coonhound and your ex-roommate Buffy's hyper, but adorable, Jack Russell out from underfoot for a while, unless they have been registered for NOLA City Bark, guests' dogs are not allowed inside the dog park. You might want to try the dog park at Bonnabel Boat Launch for off-leash (it is a non-permit park), or take your friends' and relatives' dogs for a walk on-leash in Audubon Park. You will also avoid Jazz fest crowds in these places. Also remember that at no time are you allowed to bring in unregistered dogs on your permit. Neither should you open the gates to allow entry for friends or strangers who request to enter the dog park without having purchased a permit. Several people mentioned to us this past week-end that they were in the dog park without a permit because someone had opened the gate for them to allow them inside. You are paying a calendar year annual fee of $35 to use the dog park. Monies raised from this fee cover maintenance costs which include but are not limited to the following: monthly flea spraying, weekly grass cutting, bathroom cleaning, purchase of waste station bags, repairs, salary for 1 part-time clerical employee, etc. The permit also serves the purpose of registering users and their dogs so we can make sure that all persons using the dog park are aware of and agree to obey the rules and procedures. To ensure that unregistered users are not in the park, please do not hold the entrance gate open for others. Enter with your dog(s) only and securely close the gate behind you. The swipe cards for all of the permits purchased before Monday April 12 are now available and may be picked up at the Friends of City Park office between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday. When available, we will have volunteers from 5 - 7 PM during the week. Please pick up your card as soon as possible so you may have access to the dog park. Because of Jazz Fest parking issues, we will not be handing out swipe cards at the dog park this week-end or next. Now, let's all get out there and enjoy some live music. Woof! Woof!