A group of local lawmakers and dog owners have brokered a deal that will open up Pier 4 at the Gantry State Park on the East River in Long Island City to be no longer off-limits to "pooches and their two-legged friends" during certain morning and evening hours," according to an article in today's edition of New York Daily News by Lisa L. Colangeo.
"These dogs and their owners have to be on their best behavior," the article continued, adding that "Parks officials said they will monitor the pilot project and decide whether to continue it in September."
"Dog owners in the area said they were caught by surprise," the article said, "when the new portion of Gantry State Park opened about two years ago and dog-free zone signs started popping up along the walkways. They said aggressive parks personnel also chased them away."
"There are a lot of dog owners living in Long Island City who want to enjoy Gantry Park like everyone else," said state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), who helped broker the compromise along with City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Ridgewood), the article said.
Rachel Gordon, regional administrator of state parks, admitted she was reluctant to allow dogs into the park at all. "It's a slippery slope," said Gordon, who pointed out she is also a dog owner. "I know these owners will be responsible but now we are opening it up to everyone." Gordon said many park users, including families with kids, said they appreciated the fact that the park was off-limits to dogs. "We're trying to keep up the lawns," she said. "There's no way it's going to stay [green if animals are everywhere."
Under the compromise, people will be allowed to walk dogs on leashes in certain areas from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and then again from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
"We are also very protective of that park and we want to keep it clean and safe," said Stephanie Rodousakis, one of the founders of DOG LIC, a group of canine owners who live in the area. "If they see how much we care and clean it up, we are hoping this will expand and make the park even more dog-friendly."
"These dogs and their owners have to be on their best behavior," the article continued, adding that "Parks officials said they will monitor the pilot project and decide whether to continue it in September."
"Dog owners in the area said they were caught by surprise," the article said, "when the new portion of Gantry State Park opened about two years ago and dog-free zone signs started popping up along the walkways. They said aggressive parks personnel also chased them away."
"There are a lot of dog owners living in Long Island City who want to enjoy Gantry Park like everyone else," said state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), who helped broker the compromise along with City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Ridgewood), the article said.
Rachel Gordon, regional administrator of state parks, admitted she was reluctant to allow dogs into the park at all. "It's a slippery slope," said Gordon, who pointed out she is also a dog owner. "I know these owners will be responsible but now we are opening it up to everyone." Gordon said many park users, including families with kids, said they appreciated the fact that the park was off-limits to dogs. "We're trying to keep up the lawns," she said. "There's no way it's going to stay [green if animals are everywhere."
Under the compromise, people will be allowed to walk dogs on leashes in certain areas from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and then again from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
"We are also very protective of that park and we want to keep it clean and safe," said Stephanie Rodousakis, one of the founders of DOG LIC, a group of canine owners who live in the area. "If they see how much we care and clean it up, we are hoping this will expand and make the park even more dog-friendly."
Architecture Critic
Carter Horsley
Since 1997, Carter B. Horsley has been the editorial director of CityRealty. He began his journalistic career at The New York Times in 1961 where he spent 26 years as a reporter specializing in real estate & architectural news. In 1987, he became the architecture critic and real estate editor of The New York Post.
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