By Jessica Brockington
A new surface laid down in the dog run at 72nd Street on the upper level of Riverside Park has forced the dog run to be closed since late April.
According to sources, the surface has gotten all the rain it needs to rinse the new pebbles, but it hasn’t had a chance to dry out and set.
Avi Jezer, President of the privately funded Dog Run 72, as the space is officially known, expressed his dismay.
“We can’t even put a sign up saying ‘this is when it will open’,” Jezer said. “We expected it to be a quick thing.”
The pebbles in the run have been specially treated so they don’t wash away. They needed a two hour rain to rinse them, and then a full day of sunshine to dry out and set the surface.
It’s that long day of sunshine everyone’s waiting for and the weather has not complied. The result has been an entire community disrupted, according to Jezer.
“It’s disruptive not just to the dogs but to an entire community of people who use the run,” Jezer said.
“The irony is that the only recreational area in the park routinely used during the rain had to be shut down during the rain,” he added.
Privately funded, Dog Run 72, as the off-leash area is known, is financially under the auspices of the Riverside Park Conservancy which contracted out the resurfacing of the run. RPC was not immediately available for comment.
Meanwhile down on the lower level of Riverside Park just south of 72nd street, the Riverside Park South dog run will get a truck full of new wood chips soon, according to sources in the Parks Department.
West Side Rag has also learned that the Parks Dept. is reviewing options to move the entrance to this dog run away from the bike path.
“A new surface laid down in the dog run at 72nd Street on the upper level of Riverside Park has forced the dog run to be closed since late April.” So at most, 3 weeks?
I don’t get what the story is here. It seems like “oh no, Nature screwed up so we’re sad.”
They’re just waiting for the sun to dry out some rocks? Is that really all there is?
While I don’t like dog runs, this is bothersome because there has been an increase in the number of off-leash dogs (during allowed hours) in Riverside Park….and not everyone is a fan of that.
You “don’t like dog runs”? Why would anyone not like them? What’s the problem with dog runs? Too much fun and happiness?
I hate rainbows, lollipops, and the laughter of children.
I have to echo Siddartha’s comment (#1). I don’t really see much of a story here, especially since all indications are that by the end of today, May 9th, there will have been a full day of sun (plus most of yesterday).
@ whatsupduck:
Could you elaborate upon your statement that you, “don’t like dog runs”?
Perhaps you don’t like dogs, which would obviously be your right. Dog runs, however, as you go on to point-out yourself, serve a real need. So what’s your problem with them?
FWIW, I was at the park yesterday for about an hour and there were a half-dozen or so pooches in the big-dog section of the dog run the entire time. The closure sign was still up but the tape had been moved out of the way.
My assumption was that one dog owner got fed up and moved the tape, prompting other owners to enter as well. Hope it didn’t mess up the new surface – I imagine the RPC and its donors would be none too pleased.
Somewhat off subject-I love dogs, stop to pet them on street, etc. but on West End Ave in upper 80’s they bark over and over again 5-10 min. twice daily when being walked. They wake me even with window closed, fan on early AM and 10-midnight all the time. It’s tough for me to sleep and when I do getting woken up by their barking on my block is so frustrating. Doorman agrees but can’t do much. Please, no attacking responses. And ideas on how to stop dogs from barking when walked?
The “Lost Greyhound” story in your email blast also links to this page. You might need to send that out again.