Newport Dog Run questions/rants

[shaolin1]

What is the current situation with the dog run? Will it be relocated?

How many times does someone have to be nearly run-over before people actually start paying attention to STOP signs?

What is the worst piece of Shore Club debris you've found in the dog run?

[msion1]

I wish the JC police would park outside Port Authority more often to catch people running the stop sign. I've seen them there a handful of times, and I'd say people get pulled over every few minutes. I can spend 20 minutes in the dog run and see no fewer than 7 or 8 people get pulled over. If they would do that more often, it would scare people into obeying the law. But I also think the city needs to paint the ground alterting drivers that a stop sign is approaching.

I have removed TONS of debris from the Shore Club. One rainy/windy day, I spent a fair amount of time picking up huge, soggy cardboard boxes that were strewn around the dog park. I've also picked up coffee cups, soda cans, random pieces of plastic and foam, wrappers and even bread from a half-eaten sandwich! Fortunately, I saw that before my dog did. It's a mess.

[shaolin1]

i know what you mean about the cop presence. Although seeing a cop on the corner helps, its only when the cops are there that people will actually slow down and/or come to a complete stop. I wonder if those who don't stop would get upset if it was them crossing the street every day.

Re: shore club debris, i've actually had smaller metal scraps come down off the buidling and almost hit me. Even worse, i've found all kinds of screws and nails that luckily no dogs picked up and swallowed.

Thanks for helping to pick up. It's good to know that others are helping out.

[msion1]

It's unfortunate that people have to be punished before they stop running stop signs. But clearly, that's the only thing that works. I still vote for more signage, like having "Stop Ahead" painted on the ground or a standalone stop sign in between the lanes. The current stop sign can get hidden by delivery trucks at Duane Read, not that that's an excuse. Clearly people know the stop sign is there, they just don't feel compelled to stop. Not even for people with strollers.

[DogLover]

It really is ridiculous, but I suspect they won't do anything until someone gets seriously hurt. That's how it works here. I have seen security blow past the stop sign and not even care. I have resorted to shouting at people that there is a stop sign, but they don't care either.
As far as debris in the dog run, my dog almost got hit by a piece of flying debris. How they don't have anything to prevent that is beyond me. Again, someone will probably have to get seriously hurt before they do anything to fix it. :(

[dogday]

I no longer use the dog run

my guy is small and without a divider for size it just not safe-

adding the giardia outbreak and folks leaving poops allowing it to fester in puddles---

and most recently the risk of serious injury from flying debris--it's just stupid to go there--for me anyway--

I have picked up--not only other dogs crap--and humans cigarette butts--but also yes--nails--bolts--styrofoam--insulation--whatever it is--large pieces of metal things--like sheets of metal with jagged edges
ok so I do not go in the run anymore with my dog(s)

[plumtree]

Sonia,

Given all the complaints, would it be possible to work with the Lefrak organization to move the dog run to another location, at least temporarily, until a permanent location is found?

[shaolin1]

i think it's safe to say that most of the dog owners don't necessarily want the dog run "moved", but moreover better taken care of... and not even necessarily the dog run but moreso the safety of Newport residents/visitors. Flying debris is not just an issue for the dog run but for anyone walking to and from the Jefferson/Washington buildings, the mall, Staples/Target, etc. It just so happens to land in the dog run where are dogs can eat construction-man leftovers, etc.

Similarly, it's not only dog-owners who use the dog run who can get hit by drivers failing to observe traffic signals. Anyone can!

[Jeremyk]

I heard NWA got Lefrak to build the first dog run, the one on the pier. I heard it was a ver nice park, but eventually started falling into the river because of the condition of the pier. That's when they moved the dog run to Newport parkway. Where will the puppies go next?

[PTMG]

Are those piers going to be rehabilitated at some point, or are they going to go piece by piece into the Hudson?

[dennjny]

I think the dog run should move to another location permanently, where dog owners will feel safer. What choices do we have other than the current location?

[shaolin1]

While i'd be ok with a move of the dog run, i am actually in favor of keeping what we have. With the length of the run, many of our dogs (mine included) use the whole distance to get some good exercise... despite the debris (which will hopefully subside once those windows and walls are up).

After all, i think we should be happy that we even have the dog run. It's hard enough to get one going... as I understand from those in Van Vorst and Hamilton park.