About K9COLA

Members and volunteers desperately needed for K9COLA! We work for park improvements. We need park supporters to help us make the park a better place. We have several Board vacancies. Couldn't you donate some time to the park? Your dog will thank you! Contact Steve at steve.s@k9cola.org for info on how you can help!

Click the link below to join our email group! It's open to everyone interested in off-leash parks.

Click to subscribe to K9COLA Yahoo Group
K9COLA is a volunteer group that supports the development of off-leash areas (OLAs) in the Cedar Rapids area. We provide the Community with educational information about OLAs, raise money for Park development projects, and support ongoing Park maintenance. Here is a copy of our brochure, which includes a membership application. Please check out our mission statement and values from our By-Laws.

Board Goals for 2008:

Update Use Agreement with the city of Cedar Rapids.
Plan improvements in small dog yard and set date for execution of plan.
Recruit qualified people to serve on board of directors.
Continue "Come Join Us" campaign that focuses on retaining and gaining K9COLA members.
Continue “Dogs Gone Wild” campaign that focuses on fun events.
Participate in 2008 Pet Expo April 26th & 27th at Hawkeye Downs.
Compile training material for Park Rovers (Park Greeters) and recruit volunteers.
Hold four recall test sessions.
Support American Heart Association with their August walk.
Team with Cedar Rapids Recreation Department to host K9Splash!
Define additional Boy Scout projects.
Complete 2009 Goals by end of December 2008.

Being a member of K9COLA is not the same thing as buying an annual permit tag so your dog can use the Park. Money from the permit tags is collected by the City Parks Department and goes directly into their general southwest side parks' fund for maintenance (mowing, repairs, etc.) And being a K9COLA member does not exempt you from having to buy a permit for your dog.

K9COLA's membership fees and any tax-deductible donations help pay for a newsletter to keep you informed about upcoming events, fundraisers, changes in Park policies, and park etiquette reminders, as well as dog training and care tips and ideas. The money is used to add Park improvements and amenities, such as benches, trees, shelters, and dog toys.

K9COLA members volunteer for many projects, and work to educate the public through pamphlets, handouts, and public events such as parades, presentations, and information tables at local retail stores and dog-related events.

Members serve on the Board of Directors and on various committees, vote on changes in Park policy, give their input on Park improvements, and volunteer for events, trash pick-up and refilling bag holders at the Park, and for scheduled work days. Members can attend the monthly K9COLA meeting to share their ideas.

The more members K9COLA can attract, and the more work we can get done at the Cheyenne Park OLA, the better our chances of getting more OLAs in other parts of Cedar Rapids!

Please review the current park usage agreement between K9COLA and the City of Cedar Rapids.

View our tax exempt documents: Original 2001 Non-Profit Document from IRS, 501(c)(3) Application Acknowledgment, 501(c)(3) Renewal Acknowledgment

See our By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation.

Click this link for information from K9COLA's Park Archives.