Dog park advocates still expected to meet Thursday with Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover who continues to oppose use of government dollars from the Red River Waterway Commission for the project.
Glover has balked at the commission’s $280,000 grant to the project instead of addressing his approximately $2 million list of riverfront requests, including a site near the proposed dog park.
“… the Commission's decision to fund the dog park, to the exclusion of, and before giving any consideration to, the list of projects submitted by the City of Shreveport is both disappointing and baffling,’’ Glover stated in a letter this week to the Waterway Commission.
Commission Executive Director Ken Guidry said he is in the process of responding to the mayor who has requested a meeting with commission staff.
“I don’t have any problem with meeting with him,’’ said Guidry, “but the waterway commission makes the decisions.” The city’s list of projects is slated to be considered at the commission’s September meeting.
Dog park advocates are meanwhile circulating a petition encouraging the mayor to sign the cooperative agreement necessary for the city to accept the Waterway Commission funding. A rally of support is also planned to encourage the administration and City Council to move ahead on the project. The council has previously set aside the proposed site of the dog park. Much of the Waterway Commission money will pay for a wrought iron fence around the site. The mayor’s list of riverfront requests also includes amenities that would be in the area of the proposed dog park.
The following is the mayor’s letter to the Waterway Commission and a list of his proposed projects.
MAYOR GLOVER’S LETTER
Text of letter sent by Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover to Red River Waterway Commission:

Kenneth P. Guidry
Executive Director
Red River Waterway Commission
P.O. Box 776
Natchitoches, LA 71458
RE:
City of Shreveport Request for Funding
Dear Mr. Guidry:
On November 15,2011, the City of Shreveport submitted a request to the Red River Waterway
Commission for funding of several projects considered by this Administration to be vital to coordinated
development along the Red River. A copy of our original proposal is attached.
Each item outlined is consistent with the Recreation Projects contained in the Shreveport/Caddo
2030 Master Plan. As you know, this plan was developed with input and involvement of citizens of the
City of Shreveport and Caddo Parish. Additionally, the list of projects was prioritized with a view toward
each project complimenting and enhancing recreational and other opportunities existing or planned for the
riverfront area as part of improvements identified by the Clyde Fant Parkway Recreation Committee. This
committee, which included one of your designated staff members, spent months reviewing the recreation
needs along the Red River and its banks. This orderly approach to development of the riverfront is
consistent with generally accepted planning principles. In light of these considerations, the Commission's
decision to fund the dog park, to the exclusion of, and before giving any consideration to, the list of
projects submitted by the City of Shreveport is both disappointing and baffling.
The Commission's decision to fund the dog park is understandably of great concern to me,
particularly considering that the decision was made without discussion, conversation, or express
agreement of the City of Shreveport. These concerns are secondary, however, to my desire to determine
the process used in your decision to fund the project. To this end, I am requesting a copy ofguidelines or
policies that clearly outline your process for consideration of funding requests. I am also requesting a
meeting with you and key members of your staff at your earliest convenience to obtain a decision
regarding the City's funding request and to continue the discussion regarding funding for the dog park.
Please provide the copy of your guidelines and policies as soon as possible in order to afford adequate
time to review in advance of the meetins.
Sincerely
Cedric B. Glover

MAYOR CEDRIC GLOVER'S RIVERFRONT REQUESTS
City of Shreveport
RED RIVER RECREATION PROJECTS – BUDGET COST ESTIMATES
November 15, 2011
RiverView Park
Rest Rooms / Changing Rooms $250,000
RiverView Park is a big success, drawing residents and visitors to our river front. Many families with small children play in the fountains and nearby facilities are ill-suited to provide rest rooms and changing areas. This project would provide for the design and construction of 650 square foot rest rooms with changing areas for day-to-day use in RiverView Park.
or
Special Event Rest Rooms / Changing Rooms $500,000
RiverView Park hosts many special events, and is also used as a venue during festivals and other large programs. This project would provide for the design and construction of 1,400 square foot event dressing/rest room facility and would also provide restroom facilities with changing areas for the day to day use of RiverView Park.
Stage Pavilion/Shade Structure $175,000
The stage at RiverView Park provides an excellent venue for outdoor concerts and shows, but performers suffer from the oppressive heat and vagaries of the weather. This project would design and construct a hard-roofed pavilion or a fabric shade structure over 2,500 square feet of the stage area at RiverView Park that could be used for performer protection, public picnicking, and similar activities.
Stoner Woods (Boat Launch)
Group Picnic/Event Pavilion $45,000
Design and construct a 600 square foot pavilion in the Stoner Woods, just south of the existing boat launch parking area. This could be used for group picnics, mountain bike events, and boating events.
River Overlook Picnic and Fishing Area $200,000
Design and construct a picnic and bank fishing area along the river bank south of the Stoner Avenue Boat Launch. This would include a river overlook group picnic shelter (approximately 1,300 square feet) on the riverbank approximately 300’ south of the boat launch, a paved path from the parking area to the shelter, with two 150 square foot picnic shelters and a bank fishing area along the way. Limited clearing would also be required.
Stoner Woods Trail Improvements To be determined
The trails in Stoner Woods are unimproved and primarily used by mountain bikers, runners, and particularly intrepid birders. The terrain in the Woods consists of irregular parallel bars and swales that can impede normal pedestrian traffic. This project would design and construct a trail route with markers and several small bridges that would link high points on the bars that will provide a relatively easy path for walkers and will enhance the current uses of the area.
Information Kiosks $90,000
Design and construct information kiosks that provide high-quality permanent maps with overall Parkway recreation information and have professionally executed interpretive panels to explain the unique historical, natural, and cultural aspects of special sites. Space can also be provided on the kiosk for visitors to post their own messages for upcoming events.
Locations:
RiverView Park
Near Stoner Woods
Hamel Memorial Park
Marie and Charles Hamel Memorial Park
Picnic Area $100,000
Design and construct three family (150 sq. ft.) picnic shelters and one group picnic shelter (600 sq. ft.) at Hamel Memorial Park
Additional Parking $75,000
Construct additional parking for 12 cars at the south end of the park.
Playground $250,000
Design and construct a playground for children 2-12 years old.
Rest Rooms/Drinking Fountain $320,000
Design and construct a rest room facility in Hamel Memorial Park. There are significant costs for utility extensions to this area.
Earthen Fort Path and Interpretive Information $130,000
Design and construct a paved path and interpretive facilities on the earthen fortification at Hamel Memorial Park. (Note: This project would be an enhancement or alternative to the development of a dog park at this location.)