Fwd: Dog Run Followup Questions
stephanie bergsma
I will set up a meeting with Phyllis.
Commodore Barry & BQE - great news! I would love a status update on these options at the meeting. yay!
Cuyler Gore - but there is no harm in us asking "the community" if they still feel the same. Also, if our pro-dog run "community" is larger than their against -dog run "community" don't we get to have a dog run? Its just that I am sure we could elicit community opposition for any location. The issue is that we have zero percent dog runs and 100% people only parks. There is a large population who wants/needs a dog run so we will need some people only park space to go to people + dogs. This should be fine since there will still be loads and loads of people only space for the community to go to. Also, we only just want a piece of this park, not the whole thing.
Steuben - some of the members really want this option but I think it would be underutilized due to location.
Thanks,
Stephanie Bergsma
General Coordinator
Clinton Hill Dog Run
http://groups.google.com/group/clintonhilldogrun
www.clintonhilldogrun.org
From: James, Letitia <LJa...@council.nyc.gov>
Date: Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Subject: Re: Dog Run Followup Questions
To: stephani...@gmail.com
Stephanie: Please contact Phyllis in my office at 718 260 9191 to schedule meeting. As I indicated earlier, a lot of the foot work has already been done for a dog run in Commodore Barry and a request for a dog run was considered for space under BQE. Cuyler Gore is not being considered because of community opposition. I would have to check with stake holders and community residents regarding steuben park. Let's meet and I will walk you through planning and development steps
Subject: Re: Dog Run Followup Questions
Hi Tish,
Of those who have responded, the group seems very enthusiastic about a dog run under the BQE so please do take any steps on our behalf to pursue this. We like it because it is a space that no one wants or is currently using. In that way we will not be pushing anyone out of their park. We also like that it could be an all-weather dog run. However, the space is raw and would need more work than existing parks to be finished. What would you need us to do to pursue this option?
Also, if we could create dog run in an existing park we like the following parks:
~Cuyler Gore Park (its already segmented and partially fenced / very central to fort greene/clinton hill)
~Steuben Park (its large / partially fenced / underutilized though not central)
~Commodore Barry park (its large underutilized though not central)
These parks are practically ready for us to use (in fact we have reports that they are often used as unofficial dog runs) so we would like to pursue these options as well. Since it could be several years before the BQE dog run is even started we would like to have a community meeting with you in the near future to discuss establishing a dog run in fort greene/clinton hill. We think the 4 options above are our best bets and would like you to consider them and discuss them with us.
What is the next step?
Should we invite NYCdog and PUPs, MARP or other FG/CH organizations and businesses to the meeting? Do we need to meet with only you or the parks department or the community board?
Are we on target or getting ahead of ourselves? Let us know.
Thanks,
Stephanie Bergsma
General Coordinator
Clinton Hill Dog Run
http://groups.google.com/group/clintonhilldogrun
www.clintonhilldogrun.org
On Sun, Jul 19, 2009 at 7:54 PM, James, Letitia <LJa...@council.nyc.gov> wrote:
What are your thoughts on reply?
On Sun, Jul 19, 2009 at 12:15 AM, James, Letitia <LJa...@council.nyc.gov> wrote:
Stephanie: nice to hear from you . At a contentious community meeting a few years ago sponsored by PUPS the dog owner association in the community, it was decided that off leash hours were preferable to a dog run. Further, non dog owners at the meeting recounted several dog bite stories in fort greene park, and argued against not only extending off leash hours but a dog run, as well. Fort greene park is very popular and every summer I have to balance competing interests who all want to use the park. Working with parks dept we have had to reduce the number of permits because residents complain about all of the uses being allowed in the park and a plea for peace and quiet. In regards to parham, I doubt DOE would agree to a dog run near PS 20. I spearheaded the streetscape project for lafayette ave which is almost complete. This plan reflects the ideas from residents of the three towers on lafayette ave. Most of the residents are seniors and are requesting restoration of belgium blocks and trees. They have complained in the past about irresponsible dog owners who walk their dogs on lafayette ave. Therefore, I do not think it would work at that location. As I stated in our earlier conversation, Underwood is patronized by several public, private and church sponsored day care centers during the day and after school programs. There would be MAJOR push back if a dog run were planned in this playground. That leaves under the BQE. A dog run is being considered at this site and at Commodore Barry Park as I stated in our earlier conversation. I know you do not like the location of Commodore Barry park and so I will push for the dog run under the BQE when DOT issues an RFP for that site. I do not know the timing of this project but will inquire. Please know that a dog run in commodore barry park would happen sooner since we are renovating that park. It is a very safe park with a lot of activities and a pool. You should visit the park sometime soon and see for yourself. Tish
----- Original Message -----
From: stephanie bergsma <stephani...@gmail.com>
To: James, Letitia
Sent: Sat Jul 18 23:18:17 2009
Subject: Dog Run Followup Questions
Hi Tish,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me on the phone a week ago. Before I get started asking around about a dog run there is one point I am still unclear on. What is the reason that, at Fort Greene Park, it must be either off leash hours -or- a fenced in dog run? I know I asked you and you tried to explain it to me, but I still do not understanding why we cant have both in one park?
The reason I had hoped to find or create a fenced in dog run is that Free Run hours are not usable with a 9-6 work schedule. I wont be out after 9pm with my small dog and I cant make the 2 mile round trip to the park and have time for my pup to play before 9am weekdays (the other dogs are usually there between 7:30/8am to 9am).
I do understand that in any location you will probably hear push back from the community who is already using that space. The question becomes whether that community is larger than the un-served dog run community in fort greene and clinton hill. My argument is that there are many many parks for the community to go to. If a dog run was to transform one corner of just one park, the rest of the community would still have options for park use. As it stands, anyone employed 9-6 (i hope there are still a lot of us left!) cannot meet in a safe spot and exercise our dogs.
Ideas for locations:
a) Non Park spaces:I saw that there was a brainstorming meeting about what to do with the stone paved open space on Lafayette between St. James and Classon. I know a dog run aspect was suggested there.
Also, I attended the brainstorming meeting under the BQE where I heard & made the same suggestion. Do you think either of these could happen?
Do you think it would it be possible to be granted temporary stewardship of an open space for a dog run? In that way we could just borrow the space and see if the community will use it. Based on the community use we could see if there was cause to secure a permanent space. Maybe if the community displays their desire to use either of those spaces in a temporary way, a dog run would be drawn into the plans for the permanent redesign of that space?
b) Would you direct me to the groups I should talk to about the already fenced/gated grassy area in Underwood Park at Lafayette and Washington? This is a very dog run friendly set up with benches all around for easy watching. We would not need any $ to change this into a dog run! (it does not even need a double gate since it is already inside the park's gate.)
c) I do have a new location idea: Parham Playground on Clermont between Willoughby and Dekalb. There are 2 sections of this park I have never seen used (see photos attached). These sections would lend well to be separate but adjacent small dog and large dog fenced dog runs. In fact, they are already fenced, with some gates, benches and trash cans. One section is on street level, on the north east corner of the park which is currently "green space" i am guessing (however - pls see photo, its not green because its too shady) making it unused by the community. It is long and narrow and low fenced with a gate already outside the park entrance. This would be ideal for small dogs. It also already has chicken wire at ground level which prevents digging & very small dogs from slipping thru the bars & balls from rolling out through the fence.
The other area is larger square with benches and partial paved perimeter. It is the sunken area directly adjacent to the 1st area and is behind and below the swings which are near the pool. This area would be ideal for larger dogs. I think the two sections could easily be connected without disturbing the flow of the park and without walking dogs thru kid's play areas. There are other much larger seating areas in this park that would not be disturbed.
There are a couple negatives to this location though; 1) it is directly adjacent a school (which could be argued that this raises the risk of children and dogs being harmed. However, there is a risk anywhere and with the easy install of some small "chicken" wire we can easily keep children's fingers from being nipped and dogs from being harmed by swallowing school supplies.) 2) it is a very segmented crowded park with different levels (making it confusing at first how to enter different areas, some existing gate entrances/exits may need to be closed off). It would take very very small amount of $ to change this into a dog run (only 1 gate is needed).
Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you for your time.
Stephanie Bergsma
General Coordinator, Greene Harvest CSA
www.GreeneHarvestCSA.com
Fundraising Committee, Clifton Place Community Garden
http://cliftongarden.blogspot.com/
Tenants Association Member, 139 Emerson Place
SB11205
FYI we are probably moving forward with Steuben park. We need PUPS to
agree and write a short proposal. We are waiting to hear back from
hem and Tish and who would be the caretaker of the park ( the parks
dept or us ).
I will keep you posted.
-Stephanie
On Jul 22, 11:56 pm, stephanie bergsma <stephanieberg...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Mayumi Shimose Poe
streets? I tried to Google it but ended up with a similarly named park
in Utica.
Mayumi
May in the Bay is now Live from Brooklyn. Check me out at
http://www.mayumishimosepoe.com.
To keep myself humble, I remember that the great William Faulkner once
remarked to an editor: "I know you mean well, but so do I."
“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to
live.” –David Henry Thoreau
“You are lucky to be one of those people who wishes to build sand
castles with words . . . This is what separates artists from ordinary
people: the belief, deep in our hearts, that if we build our castles
well enough, somehow the ocean won’t wash them away. I think this is a
wonderful kind of person to be.” –Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird, p. 231).
Amy Hecht
SB11205
than comodore barry in my opinion.
I am following up with the president of pups to see if her concerns
were addressed by tishes office and we can move on with pups blessing
from there.
-steph
On Aug 24, 11:50 am, Amy Hecht <msm...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historic...
> Amy
>
> Mayumi Shimose Poe wrote:
> > Sorry, can someone remind me where Steuben Park even is? Cross
> > streets? I tried to Google it but ended up with a similarly named park
> > in Utica.
>
> > Mayumi
>
>
> read more »
stephanie bergsma
we aren't at this point yet but is there anyone else who wants to help with this? Tish wants the letter to come from pups (a local organization) but we are the ones working on this project. (we should each join pups) pups is not going to brainstorm and manpower this project for us but they are happy to endorse a dog run in the hood and will let their members know in case they want to help & chime in.
Mayumi Shimose Poe
be happy to help if it's something I am able to do.
Mayumi
Amy Hecht
Second, to the best of my knowledge PUPS has already spoken to Tish and endorsed Steuben as the place for the run. It's my understanding that there is already funding for a project in Steuben, so you really should take advantage of that rather than starting from square one. (Re Cuyler Gore: there are older residents there and what they object to is the barking. Besides unless you link all three grassy areas together, it's pretty small.)
Third, I want to be sure you understand that the draft plan will not be written by PUPS. Not sure how that got miscommunicated — if it did — but the Clinton Hill Dog Run Group needs to draft it. In addition to what's written below, it must include how you intend to maintain it — the number one problem with dog runs is keeping them maintained (not just clean but whatever surface you have will need maintenance as well.) Once established, PUPS is willing to send emails asking the member base to volunteer with planned clean-up days.
Stephanie's point regarding volunteering is dead on: if you volunteer you must be prepared for a lot of work that may or may not pay off. Just speaking from experience here. You have the support of PUPS but it's your project.