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Dog Park Pilot Program
DOG PARK PILOT PROGRAM
Locations:
Allenwood Park - Near Station Road entrance
Village Green - Near Great Neck House parking lot exit
Dog Parks are now more popular than ever. Communities everywhere have learned that residents LOVE their dog parks. They’ve become special places for folks to gather with other dog owners and their dogs, as a regular, perhaps even daily, recreation activity, much like cyclists, swimmers, runners, ball players, and the list goes on and on.
There are many community benefits offered by dog parks, not just the personal benefits of being an enjoyable alternative to needing to regularly walk one’s dog.
BENEFITS
From “Dog Park Design, Development, and Operation” by Dr. Marilynn R. Glasser
Dog parks give pets the opportunity to play, exercise and socialize in a safe environment. It provides owners with an alternative to regular dog walking but offers so much more than a simple walk. They can safely run, play and have fun with other dogs under the watchful eyes of their owners, who also enjoy the dog park “experience”.
Dog parks promote and encourage responsible pet ownership. They encourage dog owners to realize the importance of their pet’s needs for exercise, play, exploration and socialization – and dog parks certainly provide these opportunities. The presence of a dog park in a community also enables owners to use an appropriate location for these activities rather than other areas where they might not feel the need to pick up after their dog or follow other rules typical in dog parks. (NOTE: When communities develop an off-leash facility, they often then no longer allow dogs in other public parks)
Dog parks provide apartment dwellers, elderly individuals and disabled pet owners with an accessible place to exercise their dogs. “If it wasn’t for our dog park, I couldn’t have a dog!”
Dog parks promote enforcement of dog control laws. As dog control laws typically refer to important rules related to dog ownership, especially about licensing and vaccinations, dog park rules reflect these laws and dog owners must comply in order to use their local dog park; they might otherwise ignore the laws.
Dog parks are added attractions in community parks that cater to a large, legitimate constituency. Most communities have many, many dog owners; just as many communities have many ballplayers, soccer players, swimmers, tennis players, etc., etc. It’s possible that there are more dog owners in a given community than all those other activity participants combined!
Dog parks provide an opportunity for dog owners to meet and socialize. In some communities, this benefit is extremely popular! Friendships are made and fostered while their dogs have fun. This benefit may be particularly enjoyable for singles and folks living alone with a pet.
Dog owners love to watch their dogs at play; but many people, including those without dogs, enjoy watching the pets play in a dog park.
Dog parks provide a municipality with an additional park venue not unlike ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds and swimming pools, each of which have their own enthusiasts and supporters.
Dog parks promote public health and safety; well exercised dogs are typically better neighbors who are less likely to create a nuisance, bark excessively or destroy property.
Dog parks have multi-generational characteristics and advantages; though most dog parks have rules concerning young children, older children, teens, adults and senior citizens can happily use a dog park together.
Dog parks often increase property and home values. Realtors have realized that, for many buyers, a local dog park is considered a plus!
Dog parks have reportedly caused decreases in antisocial and illegal activities in public parks. Troublemakers are less likely to use a public park with an active off-leash facility.
Constituents appreciate their dog parks!
FAQ's
- What locations within Allenwood Park were considered for the dog park?
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Three (3) areas were considered within Allenwood Park. 1) Near the entrance by Station Road, 2) Next to the playground near the ballfields, and 3) Next to the pond.
- What were the criteria for identifying potential locations?
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Open areas that would be least impactful to other recreation amenities and park users. Potential sites were reviewed with our dog park consultant who developed a standard form entitled, "Criteria for Potential Dog Park Sites". It has 15 "features" to evaluate a given site. Generally, topics include size, convenient location, proximity to residences, proximity to other park venues/facilities, parking availability, proximity to a water line (for the fountain), terrain/site lines (for monitoring dogs), ADA accessibility, existing trees for shade, ease of maintenance access, ease of periodic supervision, environmental concerns, and "other concerns".
- Where will the pilot dog parks be located?
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Near the entrance by Station Road.
- How long is the pilot program set to last?
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Until the end of November, 4 to 5 months in total depending on when construction is completed.
- How will success of the pilot program be measured?
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Usage of the dog run, feedback from park user, and monitoring of impacts to park and neighborhood. A direct email will be set up for feedback and an online survey will be conducted
- Who will collect data to measure success?
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The Great Neck Park District staff. We will also setup a direct email for feedback and conduct and online survey.
- What is the size of the Dog Park?
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As drawn, the large dog area is approximately 34% of an acre and the small dog area is approximately 12% of an acre - thus the size of the dog park, as I designed, comes in at just under 1/2 of an acre at 46% of a full acre. Standard dog parks are one (1) acre thus making the current dog park design as less than half the size.
- Will access to the dog park be limited to Park District residents?
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Yes
- How will access restrictions be enforced?
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A pooch pass will be required and staff will be provided during high usage times. During none peak times, spot checks will be done by GNPD staff. All other times will be done by self-policing.
- Will the permitting process that applies to the existing dog park be applied to this one?
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Yes
- Will vaccinations be required (as they are under the current permitting process for the existing dog park)?
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Yes, this is required by NYS and is part of our Pooch Pass requirement. All dogs over 4 months of age, by law, are required to be licensed by the state.
- How will vaccine updates be monitored?
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Through the Pooch Pass registration process.
- Has a study been conducted to assess whether any additional parking will be needed?
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No study has been conducted, this will be reviewed throughout the pilot program period.
- If additional parking is needed, what provisions have been made for such parking?
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No provisions have been made at this time. We believe most users will be within walking distance of Allenwood Park. Again, this will be monitored during the Pilot program period.
- What hours will the dog park be open?
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During park operating hours.
- How will the hours be enforced?
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By signage and GNPD staff.
- Will the dog park be locked at all other times?
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The dog run will be locked each night at park closing.
- Who will enforce the hours / lock the dog park when it is supposed to be closed?
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GNPD staff will enforce hours and lock the park. The park may also be closed after inclement weather to preserve the grass and area. Also, the park will likely need to be closed for maintenance periodically, at least grass cutting. Signage will reflect this
- What is the plan for maintaining the dog park, including keeping it clean at all times?
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GNPD Parks Division staff will maintain the area as they do all other areas of Allenwood Park
- Will there be double gates to prevent dogs from escaping while other dogs are entering the dog park?
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Yes, a transition entry/exit area is designed to prevent dogs from escaping the dog run.
- Will there be more than one entrance / exist to prevent crowding of dogs and owners near a single gate?
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The transition area was designed to be large enough
- Will there be separate sections of the dog park -- and/or separate hours -- for large dogs vs. small dogs?
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There will be separate areas for small dogs and large dogs.
- Has an environmental impact study been conducted?
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No environmental impact study was conducted. The existing landscape and surfacing will remain as is.
- If not, when will one be conducted?
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None are planned at this time, this will be reviewed at the end of the trial period.
- What provisions are being made for appropriate drainage?
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Drainage has not been a concern for the designated area selected for the dog run.
- Was a licensed architect / engineer / designed employed?
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A dog park consultant was retained for design and guidance of operation.
- What materials are being used for the construction of the dog park?
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Wood split rail fence with transparent black mesh fencing. Pavers will be used for the entrance/transition area.
- Is a design for the dog park available for viewing?
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Drawings will be provided prior to the opening of the park.
- Will there be any built-in play equipment or other features for the dogs to enjoy?
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No, the dog run area will remain in its natural state with only fencing installed.
- Will there be limits on the number of dogs/people who can use the dog park at any given time?
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No capacity has been set, this will be monitored during the pilot period.
