The Holy Paws Story
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Planning
The Art for God’s Sake team considered 7 different sites. Together with neighborhood leaders, they chose the southeast corner of Belmont and John R. Community feedback provided this list of top wants:
► large dog & small dog areas
► places to sit
► water & cleaning supplies
► a maintenance plan
► good/quiet location & parking
► not disruptive to homeowners, and
► ‘sooner rather than later’
At this point, Rose Dog Park on Trumbull in Detroit became a model to imitate.
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Building
Art for God’s Sake at the Cathedral partnered with Holy Paws LLC to make development, operation, construction, and maintenance plans. As all phases of production moved forward, collaborators included:
► Gateway Community
► Boston-Edison Historic District Association
► East Boston-Arden Park Block Club
► Michigan Humane
► Chicago Boulevard East Block Club
► Midtown Development
► Vanguard Community Development
► North End Woodward Community Coalition (Rev. Joan Ross)
► Stafford House (Patricia Dockery)
► Evan & Gianna Fay, owners of adjacent property and of Develop Motorcity
► The Greening of Detroit
► And at least 3 dozen individuals who have asked to stay connected.
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Playing
We broke ground in October 2024 and held a special Grand Opening with Pet Blessing on October 4, 2025. We are grateful to you, everyone listed in the previous columns, and all the following helpers:
► Holy Paws LLC and Dan Jess
► Art for God’s Sake
► Fr. J.J. Mech
► Detroit Police Department
► Mary Zatina & the Dog Park Committee
► Neighborhood Representatives
► Signs & More
► Stafford Landscaping
► Veterinary United
