Status Updates

• 2026-01-15: We have collected over 100 signatures.

• 2026-01-20: A formal proposal has been submitted to the city of Silver Bay to have our dog park as a discussion topic for the next Parks and Rec meeting.

• 2026-02-03: Met with the Mayor to discuss alternative location options for the dog park. The city administrator would prefer to get the proposal before Parks and Rec before reaching out to 3rd party land options.

• 2026-02-05: Due to a lack of quorum, the February Parks and Rec meeting was cancelled.

• 2026-03-05: Due to a lack of quorum, the March Parks and Rec meeting was cancelled.

• 2026-03-10: Parks and Rec held a special meeting on the 10th, but we were not informed of the meeting.

• 2026-03-17: Alex emailed the city administration for a follow-up or addition of the proposal to the April 8th planned meeting.

• 2026-04-08: Representatives from Silver Bay Concerned Citizens (SBCC) met with the Parks and Recreation Department to discuss the proposed community dog park initiative. The committee commended SBCC for its strong civic engagement and encouraged the group to keep up the good work in advancing this community-driven effort. While the committee expressed reservations about siting the park within a residential area, they viewed the concept favorably and redirected the group toward exploring non-residential land — particularly parcels near existing city or county-managed space. To support further investigation, the committee provided contact information for a private landowner associated with mine land in the area, as well as county administration contacts for follow-up on county-adjacent parcels. The meeting concluded on an encouraging note, with the committee emphasizing the importance of continued community engagement and urging SBCC to conduct thorough site due diligence before returning with a refined proposal.

• 2026-04-13: We have reached out to both Cleveland Cliffs and Lake County for two proposed spots for the dog park. We also have identified a possible new city-owned location by Black Beach Campground that meets the requirements of the Parks and Rec department.

• 2026-07-10: We are in ongoing talks with the City of Beaver Bay about a potential site near the drainage ponds on Lax Lake Road. We have reached out to Northshore Mining in advance, as they maintain an air quality sensor on that parcel. Next week, we plan to visit the Lake County environmental office in person to identify any remaining hurdles before moving forward.