Aug. 12, 2015 By Jackie Strawbridge
Long Island City’s newest dog run is slated to open on Aug. 27, according to the State Parks Department.
A debut event for the dog run is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Aug. 27. There will be a soft opening at an earlier, as-yet undetermined date, Parks spokesperson Randy Simons said.
The dog run is located between P.S./I.S. 78 and the Queens West Sports Field, with its only entrance on Center Boulevard.
Original designs put the entrance closer to the school, but plans were changed after pushback from parents, who felt the proximity put kids at risk.
The semi-circle design has an open interior, except for a handful of benches. Simons said construction is essentially complete.
Tracey Morgan, who lives in a Center Boulevard apartment, said she was excited that the run is finally opening. She said that her only concern was the lack of shade, which she called “a huge problem.”
Currently, Morgan takes her dog Millie to the run at Hunters Point South Park, which also has little tree covering.
“I only bring my dog to that run in the mornings or evenings,” Morgan said.
Center Boulevard resident Ashleigh Mitchell said that she looks forward to the opening of the run. However, she said that she wished there were some interactive aspects, such as dogs steps or agility equipment.
State Sen. Michael Gianaris also spoke positively about the dog run.
“Providing the growing neighborhood of Long Island City with park space is one of my top priorities, and this new dog run will certainly help pet owners in that regard,” he said.
“I am hopeful that State Parks will successfully balance needs from all aspects of our community to allow parents, students and dog owners alike to welcome this addition to our neighborhood.”
Tracey Morgan with Millie
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12 Comments
You guys just got mcolan-oscpied! (I agree about what’s about to be a stinky, mess of a space. Put a dog run in a more remote area)
I live next to this thing. Very bad idea. First off, would be nice to give Sweetleaf some outdoor seating. We need more sidewalk seating in the hood. Second, this is just a fenced in dirty, rocky place that is about to be a dirty rocky pee and poop pen. Third, there are apartments right there. Nobody wants to live right smack dab next to a dog park. Fourth, there is a school right smack dab next door. Five, there are no trees! That is a pit of rocks in the sun. This space should be for adult humans to sit outside and have a cup of coffee. Just my opinion.
We give enough of our parks up to for-profit companies, Sweetleaf shouldn’t get the space just because they’re there. Walk another block to the park and enjoy the greatest view in the world.
I live next to this thing. Very bad idea. First off, would be nice to give Sweetleaf some outdoor seating. We need more sidewalk seating in the hood. Second, this is just a fenced in dirty, rocky place that is about to be a dirty rocky pee and poop pen. Third, there are apartments right there. Nobody wants to live right smack dab next to a dog park. Fourth, there is a school right smack dab next door. Dog parks are great when put in the right place. This is not the right place.
It’s a HUGE problem guys.
I appreciate the sarcasm. One big thumbs up to you.
You want a custom made dog park just for you. Then move to Long Island and build one in your backyard.
Heehee. It’s called a tennis ball.
What a shame there’s no taxpayer-funded “agility equipment” for the dogs.
What a shame there are taxpayer funded playgrounds for people’s kids. Or taxpayer funded arts endowments. Or taxpayer funded parades. Or taxpayer funded fireworks displays. Or taxpayer funded trees planted on streets. Or taxpayer funded bike paths. Or taxpayer funded parks. Or a taxpayer funded sports field.
Dog owners are taxpayers too. Adding a couple of logs for the dogs to jump around on like in the HPS dog park would have been a drop in the bucket of the cost of the dog park because, let’s face it, the labor costs of the generally corrupt and overpriced state workforce probably ate most of the money. It strikes me a a lazy oversight on the part of the State Parks Department.
Bring your own goddamn dog toys to the park and stop whinging.
I love whings. Hot, medium, bbq, whatever!