Groundbreaking News!

Dogs Celebrating at DiMattina Dog Park

In case you haven't heard or visited the dog park this week, the renovation has finally begun! Parks and Recreation and elected officials held a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week. Work has already begun on removing some trees and fences, and marking the area for the small dog run.

No estimates on how long the renovation will take, but we were told the park will reopen within the year. One official told us he thought it might be finished in late spring. You can be sure that Carroll Gardens Dog Owners Group will be keeping an eye on work going on in the park and staying in contact with Parks and our elected officials. If you would like to get involved, drop us a line! 

Here is the only news coverage I could find on the groundbreaking:

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131015/carroll-gardens/construction-begin-on-new-dimattina-dog-run-officials-say

http://www.broadwayworld.com/brooklyn/article/NYC-Parks-to-Break-Ground-on-450K-Renovation-of-Dimattina-Park-Dog-Run-1029-20131028

Adoption Event at Love Thy Pet Saturday

Love Thy Pet is hosting a pet adoption event with Sean Casey Animal Rescue
this Saturday July 27th from Noon to 5 pm
Come fall in love with a new friend!

Love Thy Pet
64 Union Street (between Hicks and Henry)
718-596-2399

Sean Casey Animal Rescue
www.nyanimalrescue.org

Sad News from FIDO

We received this tribute to FIDO President Anthony Chiappelloni:

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to learn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a little bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Anthony Chiappelloni, the president of FIDOBROOKLYN.COM, the off-leash group in Prospect Park, passed away last night. Tony was one of the original Fido members and, over the years, one of the outspoken voices to protect and formalize off-leash throughout the city.

Tony had a tough life. A Vietnam veteran, he came back to a country that expressed its anger at the war by vilifying our draftees. He bore the pains and agonies of those hard times, but he did not give-up. Later in life, Tony was ravaged by cancer, and though this supposedly numbered life to days or months, he fought on for years and decades despite the physical pain he suffered.

Now Tony is at rest. His two beloved dogs, Jupiter and Bob are in foster care while re-homing is being sought. [Incidentally, Bob was named after Bob Ipcar, one of the FIDO officers and one of Tony's dearest friends. Thank you Bob Ipcar for being who you are.]

Please consider going to Fido to post a "thank you" and "goodbye" message. A memorial will be planned by Fido and announced on their page.

https://www.facebook.com/ FIDOBrooklyn?fref=ts


Do not forget that NYCdog is on Facebook. Please join us there.

Dog Park Renovation Update

Illustration by Aaron Meshon

Carroll Gardens DOG member James A. has been keeping in touch with Parks and Recreation on the progress of our renovation. The latest news is that the final plans are out for bid, and construction will begin next summer with completion 3-4 months later. Of course this timeline could be delayed as it has before! When we have more information we will share it here and on our Facebook.

Love Thy Pet's Annual Halloween Party

Love Thy Pet's Annual Halloween Party

Date: Sunday, October 28th, Time: 1pm to 3pm

Place: Love Thy Pet
164 Union Street
(between Hicks and Henry)
718-596-2399

http://lovethypetbklyn.com/

"Canine Cake, Human Cake, Coffee, Water, Prizes, Guess the weight of our largest Pumpkin 'win basket'. Free Photo's. Lots of fun for all. Halloween costume's in Stock - all sizes!"

Free Glamour Shots of Your Pup at Love Thy Pet

Love Thy Pet is offering free professional pet photos on Saturday September 15 from 12pm to 4pm.

Call 718-596-2399 for an appointment.
Love Thy Pet is located at 164 Union Street between Henry and Hicks Sts.

They're also having a September sale:
10% off Crate Matts, Beds, Carry Bags, and Nylabones
15% off Crates, Koller Dog Toys, and Patchwork Toys

Still Waiting for Dog Park Renovation Start Date

Since we recently repaired and rehung our bulletin board at the dog park we've been hearing from more of you who saw our blog and email address posted on it. Some are asking about the status of our renovation. It's still in the works, but progress is slow. Since we made our recommendations to Community Board 6 and Parks back in January we have been waiting for news of a start date. Every few weeks we check in with the Dept of Parks and Recreation. We don't yet have a date on when the renovation will begin, but we were told that projects often take two years in design and then construction. 

The good news is that we WILL get a major renovation and the funding from our City  Councilmember Brad Lander and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is in place. 

Here's the plan, in case you missed the news last year:

- new surface of crushed granite (like Tompkin's Square Park and others) with a drainage layer underneath
- an expansion, adding a separate small dog run in the adjacent vacant lot 
- new lighting
- new benches
- new water fountains

If you would like to get involved with planning events for the dog park, get in touch with us! We need your help to keep this group going!

Andrea

Free Pet Photos at Love Thy Pet

Your friendly neighborhood pet store Love Thy Pet is hosting free pet photography sessions with a professional photographer on Saturday, June 9th from 12pm to 4pm. Refreshments will be served. 

Call 718-596-2399 for appointment.

Love Thy Pet is located at 164 Union Street between Henry and Hicks Sts.

It's My Park Day Spring Cleanup

We had about twenty neighbors in all come out for our annual spring cleanup today for It's My Park Day! Thanks to all that came to paint, weed and sweep the dog park. The wall has been painted, and we've added more of the mesh screens to the front gate to prevent the smallest dogs from slipping out. 


Thanks to James for the cookies and Jackie for the table and cool drinks! The Department of Parks and Recreation brought us supplies and It's My Park Day t-shirts, and we were visited by the Red Hook Star-Revue newspaper and our local Parks Dept managers. Here are some photos...

The wall before a fresh coat of Central Park Green was rolled on.

As we were clearing vines from the fence, we found a bird's nest hanging in an old bicycle basket!

We hope to have an update soon on our renovation. See you at the dog park!!

Rescuethon Walk to Benefit Sean Casey and Ballet Students!

Covenant Ballet Theatre is having a rescuethon walk on May 5th in Marine Park to benefit Sean Casey Animal Rescue and their scholarship program. Here are more details...


Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn (CBT) invites dogs and their owners of New York City to sign up for the dance academy’s first rescuethon event on Saturday, May 5th, 2012. During hard economic times, arts programs are usually the first to be eliminated from funding. Animals are also often to be the first to be neglected and discarded. The rescuethon is to help raise money for both the academy’s scholarship program and the Sean Casey Rescue center. Artistic Director Marla Hirokawa became involved with Sean Casey when she was looking to adopt another dog. She immediately liked the center and wanted to help them out. Through the rescuethon, she is bringing her two loves – dogs and dancing – together and helping them out. The rescuethon will be a walk-a-thon for both humans and dogs. Registration for the event is $25. The fee covers one (1) owner and a maximum of two (2) dogs. Walkers do not have to have a dog in order to walk in the event. All who sign up will receive a “doggie goodie bag”.

Registration must be done at CBTBRescueathon.EventBrite.com prior to the event. Check-in is at 9 am near the Marine Park Avenue U parking lot. There will be at least three viewing stations along the path for spectators and supporters to watch and cheer.

After the event, members of CBT’s Junior Company will perform company repertory. There will also be raffles sold for a “Pet Portrait” (estimated value $300-$350). The portrait will be a one-of-a-kind creation of the winner’s dog by artist Carla Brandberg.

Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit contemporary ballet company and dance academy dedicated to providing an excellent local alternative for professional standard performances and dance instructions. The company seeks to foster an intelligent appreciation of dance as an art form and to offer educational and cultural experience to the younger generations. Quality performances, professional instruction and educational programs, Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn’s activities are designed to reflect Christian and wholesome family values and ethics in the arts.

The purpose of the Sean Casey Animal Rescue is to aid unfortunate animals in the interest of a higher quality of life. Sean Casey takes in rescued, confiscated, neglected, injured, ill, unmanageable, or otherwise unwanted animals from private owners, zoos, shelters, and other public organizations. These animals are cared for, and/or rehabilitated to the best of our ability and means until which time they can be found healthy, happy homes - whether it be through adoption to qualified candidates or legally released into habitats suitable to the specific species in conjunction with licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

Sponsored by

Kings Bay Veterinary Hospital

Pets in Paint


Kingsbay Veterinary Hospital

Animal Hospital of Brooklyn

American Cancer Society Bark for Life May 6

News from FosterDogsNYC:
FosterDogsNYC.com is making a difference by teaming up to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Bark For Life on May 6, 2012 (10 AM-1PM) at Riverside Park at 108th St.

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is an opportunity to team up to help save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays by supporting the American Cancer Society. By taking part in Bark For Life, they will be helping the American Cancer Society save lives by:

- Helping people stay well by helping them take steps to prevent cancer or detect it early, when it is most treatable
- Helping people get well by being in their corner around the clock to guide them through every step of their cancer experience
- Finding cures by funding groundbreaking research that helps us understand caner’s causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it
- Fighting back by working with lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight

Saving lives from cancer starts one team, one participant, and one dollar at a time. FosterDogsNYC.com team is doing their part to make sure that cancer never steals another year of anyone’s life.



FosterDogsNYC.com, Site Editor, Sarah Oren

Please join the team or make a donation. The impact they can make together is much greater than what any of us could do alone!

To donate, join the team or to learn more visit the event page. 

Spring Cleanup and Meetup at the Dog Park May 19

Fellow Dog Owners!

Our annual spring cleanup and meetup is happening Saturday, May 19 from 10:00am to 12:00 noon on It's My Park Day. Join your neighbors in weeding, painting, sweeping, and clearing our park of garbage and debris. We'll supply tools, work gloves, and cool drinks. Just bring yourself! Dogs optional. We can also answer questions about our impending renovation and discuss ideas for future events.

DiMattina Dog Park Spring Cleanup and Meetup
Saturday, May 19
10:00am to 12:00 noon
(Post-cleanup beers afterward, location TBD)

Spring at the DiMattina Dog Park

The bulbs and trees are blooming at the dog park! 


Visit the blog soon for news of our Spring Cleanup in May and other dog park news and events.


To join our mailing list, email us at cgdogrun at  gmail.com. You'll get an occasional email (no more than once a month) about events, meetings, and renovation news. 


Like us on Facebook to also hear about Brooklyn and NYC dog news.


See you at the dog park!

Love and Pitties in the City

A lovely story for Valentine's Day.

http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2012/02/pooches-on-finding-one.html

How has your dog brought love into your life?

I have more than a few close friends who I would never have met if I wasn't out walking Steve in the neighborhood. He has brought more love and joy than I could have predicted. 

NYTimes Reports on Connecticut Off-Leash Battle

NYCdog, the umbrella group for NYC dog owners groups, was mentioned in this Feb 12, 2012 New York Times article. Parks Commissioner also makes a strong statement of support for dog parks and off-leash. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/nyregion/at-connecticut-preserve-a-battle-over-leashing-dogs.html?_r=1 

In New York City, years of restive debate were mostly quieted in 2007, when the Parks and Recreation Department announced that dogs would be allowed off leash in many large parks 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., making official what had been an accepted practice. Adrian Benepe, the parks commissioner, said that dog owners made parks safer by their presence “day in and day out, despite the weather.” 

...

In New York City, Mr. Benepe subscribes to the theory that dogs are less aggressive when they are allowed to socialize and exercise. Indeed, the number of dog bites reported in the city has plummeted in recent years, as the parks department has built dozens of dog runs and allowed dogs off leash. Still, he said, “the right to have your dog off leash doesn’t confer the right to inconvenience and injure other people.” 

Bob Marino, president of the New York Council of Dog Owner Groups, an umbrella organization, praised the city’s decision to formalize the off-leash hours. “Under this administration, the whole idea is ‘Let’s work together and talk,’ ” he said. “Is it perfect? No. But it allows a city with limited land and a lot of people and a lot of dogs to coexist.” 

Renovation Reported in Carroll Gardens Patch

More coverage of our renovation on Carroll Gardens Patch today!

Our Renovation in the Brooklyn Paper

Nice writeup of our planned renovation in the Brooklyn Paper today. I'm glad the good news is getting out more broadly!

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/5/dtg_dogruncarrollgardens_2012_01_27_bk.html

Brownstoner Post About DiMattina Dog Park Renovation

Brownstoner posted about the renovation presentation: http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/01/plans-surface-for-carroll-gardens-dog-run-upgrades/

You'll see some heated comments regarding the cost and the proposed new surface. Perhaps some of us who use this dog park should chime in. 

We have looked at the experiences of other dog parks nationwide and learned that no surface is perfect. Decomposed Granite, though controversial, has been recommended to us by other dog park volunteer groups. We are told it is a sterile surface that allows the rain to pass through if drainage is installed properly. Underneath it is fabric membrane separating it from a layer of gravel. There are many kinds of Decomposed Granite, and Parks has asked Carroll Gardens DOG to choose between the type used in Tompkins Square Park dog park and the Washington Square Park dog runs. We are investigating this week to determine which is the least dusty. Watering regularly with a sprinkler keeps the dust down. 

Regarding the cost, a couple of years ago I was told by someone in Parks that $450,000 is not much considering Parks spends a million on a comfort station. It's insane but it's how the city works. 
Overall we are pleased with the plan, which is close to our original proposal sent years ago. A separate small dog run will be added to the vacant land adjacent to the current space. We're getting new lighting, benches, and drinking fountains. 

We will share more news as we have it! 

Review of the Plans for Our Renovation

Sorry for the late notice folks. Tomorrow evening the Parks Department will present their plans for our renovation at a Community Board 6 Parks Committee meeting.

Wednesday, January 18
6:30pm
Cobble Hill Community Meeting Room
250 Baltic Street (Clinton/Court)
http://www.brooklyncb6.org/calendar/#18

The public is invited to comment. We will report on the details after the meeting!

 

A New Dog Park on Columbia Street?

Nearly a year ago the Regional Plan Association and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative held a visioning meeting to collect suggestions from the community for a new park on Columbia Street between Kane and Degraw. A small dog park was suggested at the meeting. Tomorrow night Brooklyn Greenway Initiative has scheduled a report-back meeting for the planned park. Preliminary renderings will be presented and the community will be invited to comment. Visit the BGI website regarding the meeting here and RSVP.

Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Time: 6:30p - 8:30p
Location: Union Street Star Theater, 101 Union Street

Thanks to the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association blog for the news!