Dog Run Coming to Prospect Park

Border Collie Enjoying Freedom to Run

After years of discussions and requests by neighborhood dog-owners, it looks like Kensington will be finally getting a dog run in Prospect Park.

Activists and members of the Kensington Dog Run Association were pleased to hear that their dreams will soon be a reality after only a few more hurdles to overcome.

"There’s really no areas for dogs to run around and be off leash," Sal Garro, president of the association, said. "We’ve got off leash hours at PP, and those are pretty limited and a lot of people can’t make it to those."

Garro said that his organization is happy with the design for the run, which has two areas, one for smaller dogs, and another for larger. Dog owners will also be supplied with benches to watch their pets run free.

"The designs are incredible," Garro said. "They’re exactly what we wanted. I feel like they really listened to us when we first sat down. They clearly saw our vision."

The run was designed by the Prospect Park Alliance, and will be funded by money which will come through a partnership between two districts; that of Councilmen Mathieu Eugene and Brad Lander. 

The borough of Brooklyn, through the office of Borough President Aric Adams, will also chip in.

Before the actual construction can commence the project will need to be approved by Community Board 14’s Community Environment Committee, which will be meeting on April 19 at 7pm to vote on the issue. If the vote is in favor, dogs and their owners can expect to see a dog run in Prospect Park within about two years.

I think our dogs deserve a run too...

...even if some of their owners do not. Orion tipped us off to a petition Sean Casey and the gang are working on to get the Kensington/WT area its own place for pups to hang with one another. Dogs like Frank here apparently feel the need to dress up like... well, something other than a dog in order to fit in around the 'hood. Perhaps a dog run would give him somewhere to feel more comfortable in his furry birthday suit. Word is you have to head over to the Animal Rescue to sign the petition. Sounds good, but if anyone knows of a nifty online version of that, we'd love to post a link.

From the In-Box

Hello Fellow Kensingtoners,
I live in the vicinity of Avenue C and E. 2nd Street, not too far from To-B-Thai restaurant. Over the last several months, I have noticed a disturbing trend on E. 2nd Street between Avenue C and Beverly Road. Some of our neighbors on E. 2nd Street between Avenue C and Beverly Road allow their big and unfriendly dogs to be on the side walk without leashes. In particular, I have had run-ins with a very large bulldog and another dog whose breed I don't know. I fear for the safety of my small children when we walk down E. 2nd Street, because these dogs immediately jump and snarl when a stranger, a stray cat, or another dog walks by. Even worse, it sometimes appears that their owners are too weak to control them adequately.

Leash laws people! Here's a link to Parks in NYC and the hours allowed for dogs to be off-leash. We're fans of the Nethermead in Prospect Park when off-leash hours are in affect starting in the Spring. Here are a few rules to remind local dog owners:
-Dogs must be on a leash (no more than six feet long) at all times, except in dog runs and designated off-leash areas at prescribed times.
-You must pick up after your dog and dispose of the waste in containers provided throughout the park.
-You must prevent your dog from chasing birds, squirrels, and other animals.
-Dogs are never allowed in playgrounds, zoos, swimming pools/facilities, bathing areas/beaches*, fountains, ballfields, or on basketball/handball/tennis courts.

Dog Run @ Greenwood Playground

I've been promoting the site on walks with the dog in the neighborhood drumming up conversations with fellow dog owners to see what their opinions are on a small dog run in Greenwood Playground. Okay well the people have spoken and they want it (as does the doggie in the picture).

I originally thought there would be two areas to explore - 1. the small fenced in yard off Greenwood Playground on the north corner of E5th and Fort Hamilton and 2. the random fenced in park up the block from the playground on E5th near the small white church. The people I met today have heard that the larger (#2) area was fenced b/c a resident was unhappy with people not cleaning up after thier dogs (I also have a huge issue with this b/c it gives us all a bad name!).

Regardless, I know some dogs had been playing in yard #1 earlier in the year and some signs were put up disallowing the practice. I'm not sure what the problem was but I think some mesh on the bottom of the fence for the smaller dogs and a garbage can for the doggie doo is all we would really need. Oh and maybe a communial doggie water dish for the warmer months. Consider the dog run officially added to the wish list.