Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilee Valkass.
Hi Marilee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The name of our organization is Dogpac.org. Dogpac is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the health and enjoyment of dogs and their humans through the provision of off-leash recreation opportunities in Central Oregon. Dogpac was founded in the early 2000’s when the population of Bend, OR began its rapid ascent. Open spaces where Bend residents were able to walk with their dogs off-leash close to home began disappearing due to the development of new residential and commercial neighborhoods. Leash laws were becoming the norm, so there were fewer and fewer places where dogs could roam, play and get quality exercise nearby. Dogpac founder, Kreg Lindberg saw this happening and decided to form a group that would advocate for off-leash access for dogs and their humans as Bend’s population continued to increase.
As a result of this effort, the Bend community now has at least nine off-leash dog parks through Bend Park and Recreation District and two very unique off-leash dog areas minutes from town within the Deschutes National Forest. Good Dog! is an area of about 700 acres that is only a few minutes’ drive from Bend and offers year-round off-leash access to dogs and their humans along the Deschutes River. Good Dog! is located at the Rim Rock Trailhead at 18775 Cascade Scenic Lakes Byway (State Hwy 372) in Bend. Dogpac volunteers are the stewards of Good Dog! Dogpac provides dog waste bags and trash cans and dog waste removal services in an effort to keep the area clean and enjoyable for everyone.
Dogpac also grooms and cares for Wanoga Sno-Park in the winter months so that Nordic skiers and snowshoers can recreate with their off-leash dogs during the winter months.
In addition to maintaining Good Dog! and Wanoga, Dogpac organizes volunteer efforts to assist in poop clean-up efforts in the Central Oregon area and promotes responsible dog ownership through its ambassador program and partnerships with local agencies and other non-profits.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
With the increase in recreational trail use driven by Central Oregon’s rapid population growth, Dogpac must be vigilant in its fight to preserve the valuable off-leash areas that we have. Many people either fear dogs or don’t like or understand them. Their complaints can jeopardize continued off-leash access in public areas. As a result of such conflicts or “potential conflicts,” and increased “intense recreational use,” the Deschutes National Forest (DNF) has already placed restrictions on off-leash access along much the Deschutes River near Bend. Good Dog! is the only piece of Forest Service land within minutes of Bend, that still allows dogs to be unleased year-round along the river. Currently, that access is under threat by the possible construction of a pedestrian bridge that would connect a large urban neighborhood in southern Bend to the secluded riverfront where dogs run leash-free all year. The bridge would, in effect, create a popular new trailhead for walkers, hikers, runners, mountain bike and gravel riders, families with children, etc. creating the very conditions under which the DNF would impose leash restrictions.
That would be the end of convenient, unfettered off-leash access for dogs along the Deschutes River. People will have to drive long distances to access off-leash riverside hiking. This will have a major impact on the health and wellness of dogs and their humans who hike at Good Dog! every day. A leashed walk is quite different from an unleashed walk.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the current president of Dogpac.org. I work with a committed group of volunteers who devote a lot of time and energy to ensuring that the people of Bend and their dogs have access to off-leash recreation opportunities that keep them healthy and happy. Dogpac volunteers (myself included) are outside everyday patrolling our off-leash areas–cleaning up poop piles and abandoned poop bags, monitoring trail conditions and demonstrating responsible dog ownership practices. Not everyone picks up after their dogs, so we’re there to do the dirty work!
We participate in stakeholder groups to help shape forest management plans, work with the Bend Park and Recreation District to provide input on future projects as well as working with other non-profits who are committed to protecting and preserving our natural spaces. We all need each other and we all support each other. It is an honor to work with all of these people and organizations.
What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is having pursued a mission or goal with honesty, integrity, open-mindedness and kindness, regardless of the outcome. What matters to me is that we play together fairly, respectfully and that we listen to one another.
We, at Dogpac, see success in moments when our community as a whole recognizes that dogs need open spaces where “dogs can be dogs” without being leashed. We can allow space for everyone, dogs included!
Pricing:
- We survive on your donations!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dogpac.org
- Instagram: @dogpacorg.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogpac.org
