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Article Discussion "Poo Free Parks Goal of Denver Entrepreneur" - May 7, 2009
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Article Discussion: "Poo Free Parks" goal of Denver entrepreneur…
by admin on May 7th, 2009, 7:51 am
Bill Airy got an idea for getting poo out of dog-friendly Denver's parks while he was walking his two Jack Russell terriers at Sloan's Lake in August.
Airy encountered another man walking his own dog, which stopped to do its business — and then the two simply walked away from the mess.
"It was disgusting and rude," said Airy, 30.
A bit farther along, Airy came upon a dispenser...
by msvaleriah on May 7th, 2009, 7:52 am
I think this gentleman is to be congratulated and thanked for his efforts! Seeing an acknowledgement of a company who is sponsoring the free bags might be a bit of advertising, but shouldn't be a big deal to people. As a matter of fact, I would single out those companies to give them my business if their services are something that I need because they are doing something for the community. I also appreciate that he wants to provide employment to disadvantaged folk. Another plus!
Now, if only people would take advantage of those free, biodegradable bags and pick up after their pets. It only takes a moment, and it makes for a healthier, happier park experience for everyone, two-legged and four-legged alike! If we all thought of others just a little bit more, the whole world would be a better place.
P.S. - I'm a dog owner myself, never leave home without pickup bags and use them faithfully. It's just plain good citizenship.
Jackie h
by vinnysix on May 7th, 2009, 8:06 am
Not a dog owner here but I think that’s an awesome idea! It’s a win-win for everyone!
vinny smith
by agentkev on May 7th, 2009, 8:27 am
Bravo Mr. Airy. It would be nice if we lived in a perfect world where everyone always took responsibility to clean up after their pets, but we don't. Anyone who comes up with fresh, practical ideas and solutions to make it easier for people to meet those responsibilities should be commended. And to Ms. Johnstone, I am personally more relaxed seeing a small sign indicating who sponsored some poo bags than I would be seeing a pile of poo left by someone who didn't have a bag handy!
Kevin R
by Redleader on May 7th, 2009, 9:23 am
What a great idea to keep our parks clear of land mines. There is nothing worse trying to clear the area for a volleyball game. I commend the parks and recs for their forward thinking.
Rick M
by leagrobler on May 7th, 2009, 9:28 am
What an amazing man! Great job to Mr. Airy for coming up with such a wonderful and helpful idea! Just what Denver residents need in our parks! I saw the Poo Free Parks hybrid vehicle at the Furry Scurry at Wash Park last week end! What an awesome eco friendly car for the job!! I was so impressed to see Mr. Airy handing out bio degradable bags to the pet owners on the Furry Scurry walk.
It sounds like this Ms. Johnstone is jealous she didn’t come up with the idea herself! I know I am!
Thank you also for employing people in our community that are trying their best to stand on their own two feet in society again! The world needs more people like you! We look forward to seeing you in the parks this summer!!
Very grateful Denver resident
Lea G
by mpc1 on May 7th, 2009, 10:37 am
What a great idea! We have all seen the(useless)empty and trashed dispensers in the parks that seem to have been forgotten by the city. Relieving the city, not to mention tax payers, of this burden and getting the community involved is awesome; and getting to see which businesses are supporting my community is an added bonus, as I will do my part to reciprocate. As for Cindy Johnstone, I would much rather see a sign displaying who's taking responsibility for our parks, than spend another second of my time trying to get the smell off of my shoes from the irresponsible citizens.
Sounds like a win-win situation to me. Kudos for the forward thinking of Bill Airy, and hats off to the city for recognizing the opportunity that exists for serving the community at no cost to the tax payers...what a concept!
Mike C
by DenverRyan919 on May 7th, 2009, 7:36 pm
This is an excellent idea, exactly the direction our city should be going. It solves a problem, and doesn't cost us taxpayers a dime. It's even green and environmentally friendly to boot. Kudos to Mr. Airy's efforts!
by nanasphere on May 7th, 2009, 7:38 pm
Great idea!
Don't pay too much attention to those who oppose your idea. In every group there are "naysayers".
I personally would support and thank any advertiser who would make this clean-up effort more effective!
by dgryboski on May 7th, 2009, 7:43 pm
Yes! This is a great way to remind pet owners that they need to leave the park as clean as they found it.
by alkravitz on May 8th, 2009, 10:23 am
This is a great idea. It not only provide clearner parks and walk areas but also provide opportunties for the unemployed. The communitee benefits from both. Hopefully this will catch on not only in Denver but the surrounding communities. Great sponsorship of this from pet stores but also from anyone related to pets. Good luck. al :
by Will B on May 8th, 2009, 10:27 am
I do not own a dog, but am a new parent. This is a FANTASTIC idea, as there is nothing worse than taking your child to a park full of "landmines."
Keep up the good work!
by ekabbash on May 8th, 2009, 10:43 am
I think this would be a great idea for clean parks-I am in total favor of having responsible advertising help keep the parks clean-nothing like watching the animals play nice on the Commons Park area-oh ya the dogs too! 
by Randy H on May 8th, 2009, 4:12 pm
Definitey in support, I will use your pickup bags!! 
by Trisha L on May 9th, 2009, 1:02 pm
What a great way to help out the environment. I support Poo Free Parks!! And I will now go to parks where I know the dispensers will be!
by clauer on May 10th, 2009, 3:19 pm
Love the idea! Innovative, saves tax payer money, and beneficial to the environment. In response to Cindy's comments: I'd much rather see a small company logo (sounds fair since they're paying for the equipment) than dog diarrhea where kids play and adults enjoy a walk. I support Poo Free Parks.
by miguelkrav on May 14th, 2009, 11:14 am
For every great idea there will be the detractors of it so Bill keep your head up. I have no idea why someone does not realize the unbelievable benefit of poo free parks. No cost to the taxpayers and helping employ Denver's less fortunate, seems like a win win proposition to me. It will only be a matter of time until sponsors begin to line up to be part of this project. I will let more people know about this wonderful idea.
by JO-M on Today, 10:50 am
I agree that this is a win-win situation as it serves the parks and the people of the community, as well as provide an income for those who are willing to work for this business. I think the benefits far outweigh the issue of advertising. Even so, kudos to those businesses that decide to sponsor a station for the cause! Best wishes Bill! May your business be a success!
Mandy M
The Denver Daily News – 4/14/2009
Jill Strunk @ 2009-04-14 15:54:09 |
I think it is a great idea -- providing a service in a way that doesn't increase costs. I admire the administration for thinking outside the box and doing "business" better. Keep up the good work and good luck to Poo Free Parks |
Mike M. @ 2009-04-14 16:21:44 |
If it helps keep our parks clean without cost to the city, I'm all for it. I'm happy the city took the initiative, for once I'm surprised in a good way! |
Lea @ 2009-04-14 16:46:31 |
What an amazing idea! Clean up the parks using biodegradable plastic bags...and we don't have to pay for it?!?!? I like the idea and will happily support the sponsors of such a creative and socially beneficial project! Well done! |
Joanna Leal @ 2009-04-14 16:57:19 |
Sounds like the Ambrose guy is just another obnoxiously whiney little man with nothing better to do than "pooh" all over everyone else. Can't wait to see the City remove the awful plastic tubes filled with ugly Safeway bags littering my front yard!!! |
The Denver Daily News – 7/28/2009
George Parks @ 2009-07-28 16:51:42 |
I heard about this project months ago in the Denver Post and thought it was a fantastic way to solve the tremendous problem of dog waste in our parks. This INC group is trying to say they represent public sentiment, but they never asked me what I thought! As for the industrial looking pvc tubes, those things are ugly and degrade the appearance of the parks and my neighborhood and NEVER have any bags in them. This Poo Free Company is using biodegradable bags. The service is free to the City. How could ANYONE be against it? Sounds to me like Mr. Felice is running out of “real” causes to fight for. |
Lynne Brooks @ 2009-07-28 16:59:17 |
I work for Keep America Beautiful and I think the Poo Free Parks idea is a great concept! |
Jeff Shoemaker @ 2009-07-28 17:15:47 |
I run the Greenway Foundation - since 1974 we have been intricately involved with the enhancements and preservation of vital resources within the South Platte River area and other Denver waterways. The Poo Free Parks Project is one of those vital improvements desperately needed to make Denver a better place for all of us to enjoy and our organization is in FULL support of it. |
Art Vigil @ 2009-07-28 23:05:52 |
I think the Poo Free Parks dispensers are a great idea and would welcome them in my parks. I've never heard of the INC group and they certainly do not represent me. Maybe these people are dreaming of the world of their youth when there were no advertisements and everybody picked up after their dogs and took care of public parks, but I am not that naive and know that times have changed and we need a real solution to the dog waste problem in Denver. Sure not everyone's behavior will change, but I've seen similar dispensers in other cities and they look professional and clean which helps to promote the ideal of a clean park. Conversely, if a park is allowed to fall into ruin it will attract people who will only contribute to the problem. It's a shame to see this program is being held up by a few bullies with nothing better to do than complain. Maybe the INC group will rally its members to canvas the parks and take care of the dog waste. Somehow I doubt it.... |
Brenda Smith @ 2009-07-28 23:09:25 |
I volunteer in Commons Park and have seen the impact of a large increase in the dog population in this area over the last four years. I have also seen a photo of the proposed dog bag dispensers and the "advertising" on them. It is minimal to say the least. Since the city does not have money to fund the current dog bag dispensers and people are trying to shop without using plastic bags I think this whole proposal, to use biodegradable bags is a wonderful idea that will not cost the taxpayer a penny. Whilst we would all like to think that every dog owner is responsible to bring bags to the parks this is not realistic and I have been witness to this. When the city experimented with a plastic pipe container for bags in Commons Park I was the only person who filled it with bags and could not keep enough bags there to meet peoples needs. It is a dream to think that taking away the dispensers will make people bring their own poop bags. Not realistic at all. |
Sara @ 2009-07-29 11:02:14 |
If they help people pick up, do it. I'll just keep buying from PoopBags.com in the mean time. 100% biodegradable and free shipping to Denver! |
Anne L. @ 2009-07-30 15:40:26 |
I saw this story on one of the news stations a while back and cheered my television, finally someone was addressing a problem we’ve had in Denver parks for as long as I’ve been visiting the parks. To hear this is in limbo is really annoying. I’d expect some bureaucrat to be the cause for the delay, but to hear it’s a neighborhood group just makes me angry and is the exact reason I do not live in the ‘burbs – to avoid people like this, except out there they are called the HOA. Public outcry? It’s a group of octogenarians who have nothing better to do than complain about a darn good idea and proposed FREE solution to a real problem we have here in Denver. Do these people even use the parks? I’d understand a call for a public discussion if there were tax dollars at issue, but this is not the case. Shame on you Denver Parks and Recreation for being so wishy-washy. While you sit around and argue semantics and the shortcomings of your own policies, we the actual park users have to suffer with PVC pipe tubes filled with dog crap zip tied to street signs. Maybe we need to form a neighborhood committee to look at the people running our parks and their inability to make decisions. |
TJ @ 2009-08-03 11:56:09 |
This is a great idea and gets my vote. As I am reading the responses all votes are for Poop Free Parks with one voting for milk jugs instead of a company. Dave Felice is failing to show any real mass support for his and INC's thoughts and is personally slowing down the process of making our parks safer and more enjoyable for all tax paying citizens. INC needs to prove majority support within neighborhoods before claiming they speak for the neighborhoods. I know they don't speak for me or any of my neighbors. |
GladysKravitz @ 2009-08-03 11:56:30 |
If INC didn;t ask you, why don't you tell your neighborhood assn or HOA who should be part of INC. |
Jim M @ 2009-08-03 11:56:42 |
This INC is a joke. Parks are for all to use and as the green movement expands and people stop the urban sprawl and move into higher density units there will be more pressure on parks. I would much rather look at a small logo on a poo unit than worry about steeping on a pile of actual poo! These people don't represent the majorly, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease! |
Ed K @ 2009-08-03 12:31:15 |
You can put up all the free bags, poop stations and even staff people there picking dog poop up and the people that don't do it now, will continue to NOT pick up after their dog(s). Its a mind set. The people that don't are lazy and are irresponsible pet owners in the first place. The only way to get people to pick it up is to fine them a hefty amount. |
Jen B @ 2009-08-03 12:43:17 |
I use one of the Denver dog parks DAILY. Most of the dog owners are extremely responsible - the only problem being that sometimes people forget to bring a bag, and the white PVC holders for bags are almost always empty, even though I know a lot of people who are always stocking them with their extra plastic grocery bags. I agree with one of the other comments I read - the PVC holders are ugly, and again, never full. I would love to see something more asthetically appealing with biodegradable bags, and I certainly don't mind seeing a logo of whatever company is supporting that effort! And again... who is the INC?? Never heard of them - and they certainly didn't make a concerted effort to find out what the "regulars" at my dog park thought! |
Duff Kerr @ 2009-08-03 13:04:59 |
The obvious answer is: by all means, let the Poo Free Parks people put up their dispensers, assuming they will be tasteful, free of cost to the City and are placed appropriately. Given those conditions, it is a wonderful opportunity; plus the price is right in this time of tight economics! |
Caton Cobb @ 2009-08-03 13:55:55 |
Please allow the "Poop free Parks" people in. The INC who? |
Louisa Coons @ 2009-08-03 15:11:55 |
I'm definitely in favor of the dog waste dispensers. I've read through the comments & they are all good. I take my dog to the park every evening and rarely forget my bag. When I do forget, there is usually a tube with a bag - thanks to some other conscientious people. I too believe that most people pick up after their dogs - there are a few exceptions of course. Maybe this will be an additional encouragement to those who don't pick up after their pet. No one has said what will happen with the poo-dispensers when they are full. I saw a couple of businesses at the Furry Scurry that make dog waste into disease free composting fertilizer. Can we go that one step further and reuse the poo? |
Louisa Coons @ 2009-08-03 15:12:21 |
I'm definitely in favor of the dog waste dispensers. I've read through the comments & they are all good. I take my dog to the park every evening and rarely forget my bag. When I do forget, there is usually a tube with a bag - thanks to some other conscientious people. I too believe that most people pick up after their dogs - there are a few exceptions of course. Maybe this will be an additional encouragement to those who don't pick up after their pet. No one has said what will happen with the poo-dispensers when they are full. |
Terry C. @ 2009-08-03 16:21:04 |
Although my dog is in heaven, I thoroughly enjoy other peoples' dogs and feel that Commons Park, overall, is kept pretty clean by dog owners. Life would sure be boring without our furry friends! You'd have to be nuts to think Parks & Rec would suddenly go advertising crazy. Kind of defeats their purpose! I'm for it. |
Web Site Comments
N. Long - 5/5/2009 -
"This is incredibly terrific! As a mutiple dog owner and daily park user, I am very grateful for your efforts. I would, however, like to make a passionate plea for the inclusion of Cheesman Park. If there ever was a city park that needed cleaning up and dog owner education, this one is it!"
C. Janssen - 5/7/2009 -
"I'd love to see Alamo Placita Park included in this program. While it is one of Denver's smaller parks, it is a beautiful park with a huge formal flower bed enjoyed by pedestrians as well as motorists on Speer Blvd., and a big draw for dog owners, many of whom stand and chat with each other while they allow their dogs to be off-leash and not closely monitored. I walk my dog through there twice a day and while she is always on leash and I always pick up after her, I'm astounded at how much dog poo I walk around in the park. There are two poo bag mailboxes on corners of the park that many neighbors put plastic bags in, but these are often empty."
E. Marritt - 5/7/2009 -
"Please add Crestmoor and Cranmer parks to the list."
E. Robinson - 5/7/2009 -
"We have a city park, Mountain Plains Heritage Park (Buffalo, Wyoming), with beautiful trails which are used by dog lovers. How could your program help us?"
Joe P. - 5/7/2009 -
"Hi my name is Joe I work at La Alma Recreation Center which sits in Lincoln Park which is located between 13th and 11th ave. and Mariposa And Osage streets. We have a lot of dogs that use the park and some owners do not pick up after the dog does his or her business I would like to know how can we become a poo free park."
S. Clemens - 5/7/2009 -
"Bill: I applaud your Poo Free Parks program! I have been walking my dog for 6 years in Cheesman Park each morning. And every day I see one or more dog owners blithely walk away after their pooch has made a big deposit. I usually carry an extra bag an offer it if I'm close enough. But your program should help cure the problem. Any chance an individual could sponsor a dispenser? Also, could you add dispensers to Cheesman Park. There is a huge need there!!!"
F. Thomas - 5/8/2009 -
"Please, put the poop bag dispensers in the Montbello parks, Falcon & Silverman parks. There are a lot of young kids and family who love to enjoy these two parks. And also a lot dog lovers who walk and play with their dogs there. Montbello is the largest community in Denver with 8 parks with no poop bag dispensers. Please help us. Thanking you in advance."
L. Fine - 5/10/2009 -
"Hi Bill: I saw the article in the Denver Post this morning about the Poo Free Parks. Let me tell you a little about what I am doing. I live in Unincorporated Jefferson County, around C-470 & Bowles. We have no local or neighborhood dog park near us. So I have formed a non-profit organization called Foothills Unleashed. I am in the process of working with Foothills Park and Recreation District to get a dog park built around the C-470 & Bowles area. We will find out May 12 whether our funding will be approved to get this thing built. Your idea is a good idea. Would your company want to work with the sponsorship of the poo stations at the Foothills Dog Park, once it is established?"
J.S. - 6/16/2009 -
"I'd love to see this set up so that actual residents could sponsor them near their homes! I see more dog poo next to my sidewalks than in the park (Congress Park, not yet on your list!)."
M. Kaji - 6/26/2009 -
"Hi! Thanks for this great movement. I live in South Beach with my two pooping dogs, so this issue is very important to me. At the park near my house, and all around my neighbourhood, there are biodegradable poop bag dispensers as well. Probably not enough yet, but but hoping that we can pick it up too. My question is quite basic... I understand biodegradable bags are good, but what does it matter when it gets put into a trash bag that isn't biodegradable along with other trash. I feel like biodegradable or not it would still sit inside another bag, on top of waste pile, far from the ground that it needs to be in order to decompose efficiently. Shouldn't there be a system where the waste would go straight into ground? Thanks for your insight, in advance!"
S. Towne - 6/30/2009 -
"This is so AWESOME! We could def use this in San Diego : )"
J. Kravitz - 7/8/2009 -
"It is a win win considering it will put those normally shunned by society to work, not cost the taxpayers a thing, and save Denver Parks and Recreation over $100,000 annually! I am a voter and in full support of this project being implemented in Denver. Thanks!"
W.A. - 7/9/2009 -
"As a resident of Denver I wanted to let you know how strongly I support the Poo Free Parks initiative. As someone who frequently enjoys being in city parks, and as a taxpayer, I believe this program offers great benefits to everyone – park users, the City and County of Denver, the taxpayers, and pet owners."
A. Miller - 7/9/2009 -
"Not only is it a true example of citizenship at its best, but it is a program from which so many entities benefit -- the public, the taxpayers, the City, the sponsors and our environment."
R. Lynn - 7/9/2009 -
"Our parks need this service and it is such a joy to hear that something like this is going forward. Thanks!"
G. Koury - 7/9/2009 -
"I have been so impressed by this idea that I plan to introduce this to our Country Club and the Albuquerque Parks Dep't. It is a clear departure from Pay and Play politics that we are seeing in NM."
P. Connor - 7/11/2009 -
"I am president of Friends of Schuylkill River Park. We have a great dog run in our park & am interested in the poo free solution that you are proposing for the Denver parks. ...how we can participate?"