Special Care Unit Play Yard Renovation and More
This year’s Fund-A-Cause, announced during our annual Golden Gala, focuses on needed improvements around our Special Care Unit (SCU).
First is the play yard. Due to the slope of the ground, and made even more challenging as the area sits “downhill” along Vera Cruz Road, we have had many problems with rainwater runoff. Despite mitigation efforts, including a trench along the road, water still flows through the play yard, taking with it the rubber mulch. We then have to move that mulch back by hand, only to have it wash downhill during the next storm.
Having consulted with engineers, the only real solution is to level the yard and install a cement retaining wall. Additionally, there are four very large, unhealthy oak trees that we need to remove. They drop thousands of acorns (causing slipping hazards) and worse, large branches break and fall off, damaging the fence and potentially causing serious injury to staff, volunteers, or dogs.
Next, the SCU entryway also suffers from 30 years’ worth of soil erosion. The retaining wall is crumbling, leaving dangerous gaps that we are no longer able to attempt to repair. Once again, the real solution is a cement retaining wall in that area.
Third, the walkway to the SCU also shows erosion, and it’s difficult to keep the pavers clear of pebbles and debris, making it challenging to roll dog crate dollies from the parking lot to the SCU. Concrete walls and pavement will alleviate these issues.
Additionally, we’d like to add fencing along this walkway from the parking lot to SCU entrance for greater safety and security when moving dogs from the transport van to the SCU.
Finally, we need to add pea gravel to the yards on either side of BARK (Buddy Animal Rescue Klinic). We use these areas for quick potty times and well as a play yard for puppies. We know from experience it is impossible to grow grass in these areas. After years of scooping poop, we need to replenish the pea gravel. It reduces muddy conditions and it provides better sanitation.
And thanks to the $25,000 challenge match offered by Pat Kermes and Family, you can double your donation! Click to donate today!
As always, your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
If you are interested in pledging for this project ($1,000 minimum), please contact Karen (karen@dvgrr.org or 717-484-4799)