Rec Commission Weighs Possibility of Dog Run

Garden City Recreation director Kevin Ocker introduced the idea of a dog park to the recreation commission Wednesday evening.

Ocker started the discussion by noting his currently policy calls for no dogs in the village's public parks, a policy that isn't taken so seriously by residents, but the ongoing request for a designated dog area made him second guess his ruling.

"It's very hard to enforce our policy now," said Ocker. "I've gotten several inquiries from residents over the years. I want to begin a discussion about dedicating some space in the city for a trial, a feel for a dog park and see how the board feels."

After speaking with Judy Courtney, EPOA president, Ocker felt the trial run should be positioned somewhere centrally located on the property near the St. Paul's Senior Center for the convenience of all Garden City pet owners, but Mike Ryder questioned whether or not residents from each end would really make the trip.

"I don't personally believe that someone from the western part of town is going to take their little dog in the car and drive all the way to the central part of town, never mind the east side," said Ryder. "I don't think people even want to take their kids that far."

Bob Bolebruch offered a more positive perspective. As a dog owner for nearly two decades, he assured fellow board members that residents would participate.

"As leaders, we're always trying to get the community and its people more involved," Bolebruch said. "This is a group of people reaching out to us and saying there are hundreds of people in town who have dogs that would like an area for them. Rather than seeing this as an obstacle, we should see this as an opportunity."

Ocker added that the National Park and Recreation Association provides all the necessary guidelines in order to get such a project going. The board agreed to form a committee to jump-start the trial run as soon as possible and investigate price, safety and maintenance.

"It would take very little investment - mostly just operating funds that could exist," he explained. "Fencing is the main thing. If this is something we want to look at we'll get out there and look at dog parks nearby to get better ideas."

The Eisenhower Dog Park is making its debut Saturday with a grand opening ceremony. LI-DOG, a non-profit organization that works to create dog parks on Long Island, will host a "Day at the Park," which will feature gift baskets, free dog food samples, raffles and a chance to win a year's worth of dog food. Find more information here.