The new dog park

[DogLover]

After talking to many people in the 'new' dog run, it seems that very few people are happy with it. It is in a terrible location and is extremely unsafe. People run the stop sign all the time by Duane Reade and since a double fence was not put in, dogs can run out into the street and get hit by a car. When I called to complain, I was basically told, "We were lucky to be getting this". Lucky? I don't think so....I paid my fee for the dog run and part of the advantage to living here was to have this dog run. If they were to take it away from the owners, would they give us money off of our rent? I doubt it.
This new park is an absolute joke.

[Stinky]

....People run the stop sign all the time by Duane Reade and .... dogs can run out into the street and get hit by a car...How about people and kids?

I agree with you that we should fight to make the streets safer but let's do it because everyone will benefit not just because a few pets might get hurt.

[frilylily]

Hi DogLover,

Obviously some people are missing your point totally. I'm just writting to support your statement that not having double entrance gates is very dangerous for our dogs. Dogs can run out easily when other dogs and owners are entering the park, and can get run over by speeding cars around the block. Its *extremely* hard for owners to avoid this.

Lets hope the management heeds to our call and puts up double gates.

While they are at it, I'm hoping that they also consider adding a smaller section of the park to separate the unfriendly dogs from the friendly ones, like they had in the previous dog park.

Take care

[Floridian]

Well, what about the people who leave their dogs tied up outside the Duane Reede while they shop inside. The dogs just bark all the time. There is one woman with a little white dog that does it all the time. I believe it's illegal to leave your dog unattended like that. Sonia, what can we do about this?

[BaroqueJim]

That they wouldn't put double gates in a dog run is beyond stupidity, it really is. The *****ity of Newport management is prolific. Anyone with half a brain would be able to figure out the concept of having a double gate in a dogrun - and in the case of Newport management, when half a brain is probably too optimistic, you would have thought that they would have at least consulted some kind of design protocol for dogruns. But nooooooooooo these dullards and halfwits went right ahead and got it about as wrong as wrong can be.

If I was a user of the dogrun I would MOBILIZE the other users and DEMAND that this blatant example of assclownery was fixed. If they can't absorb the concept of dogs escaping every time the single gate is opened, then perhaps you could draw diagrams using crayons - sometimes I find that including a smiley sun with a hat on, and a house with swirling smoke coming out of the chimney helps make such material more accessible to brain dead goons.

[NOmoreLIES]

hahaha

let me guess that all you dog lovers have just been complaining on this board and that none of you has actually written an email or note to fermin garcia to request the additional gate.

oh i forgot - he has ESP right?
oh i double forgot - he's like dr. doolittle and can also communicate telepathically with your precious fido.

[Lala]

Hahaha, right on, NoMoreLies.

[DogLover]

Hey NOmoreLIES,
If you actually read my post, you would have seen that I said that I contacted his office and was told "We were lucky to be getting this". I know many people who have heard the same.
Next time, why don't you ACTUALLY READ my entire post before making such a stupid comment?

[Sonia]

DogLover,

We submitted a request for an additional fence to management today, together with our list of amenities.

Floridian,

I think it's cruel to leave a dog tied up outside, but I don't know if it's illegal. Some dogs are okay with it, and wait for their owners patiently, but others just get very upset, and bark.

[DogLover]

Thanks Sonia. It is very much appreciated.
Are they also going to be adding a smaller section to protect the good dogs from the bad ones?

[Floridian]

Sonia,

Is there anything we can do to look into this? I believe it's a liability to leave a dog unattended. What if they bite someone passing by.

[Sonia]

DogLover,

There are two sections in the park, one for small dogs and the other for bigger dogs. Bad dogs are not allowed in the park. If there is a problem with a dog's behavior, its owner must remove the dog immediately. Sounds like we may need better enforcement of the rules.

Floridian,

Pet owners are usually liable for the actions of their animals. However, I don't know if it's illegal to leave your dog unattended, you might ask the ASCPA.

[Floridian]

Sonia,

Can you run this past your contacts at Newport. I'm sure one of them would know what the rules.

[DogLover]

Hi Sonia,
The old dog park was divided into 2 sections. This 'new' one is not. It is one open space. The fact that it is not divided into 2 sections and that there is no double fence by the entrance to prevent dogs from running out has angered A LOT of people.
Can you please find out if they will be fixing these problems?

[Sonia]

I just saw the new park this morning. I'll check with management, but my sense is the new park is temporary, as it is located on the island, in the middle of Newport Parkway.

[mjdalways]

Well as long as its only temporary, I suppose any dogs hurt by jumping the fence or being forced in with the aggressive dogs wont feel as bad?

[DogLover]

It's sad mjdalways, but that seems to be the way management feels.
We were told that the old dog park was temporary and it was there for almost 2 years. I don't understand why they didn't put in a double fence or a smaller dog run. It would make for a MUCH safer run and make for much happier residents. I can't imagine it being too costly, but I guess the welfare of our beloved pets is not important.

[Sonia]

I was unable to reach Fermin Garcia today, but I will email him, this evening, and keep trying to get him on the phone tomorrow. His email address is fgarcia@lefrak.com, for those of you who would like to write him directly.

I commented that the space must be temporary because I don't think the island is a safe location for a dog run. Until the problems are resolved, I won't be taking my six pound chihuahua, Taco, for his constitutional to that run!

[Sonia]

Just got off the phone with Fermin Garcia. He assured me management will look into resolving these issues: a double fence to prevent dogs from running out, and dividing the temporary run into two sections.

[cancerdotcom]

i drove past it

it seems a safety risk for everyone

dogs cars and people

i found it quite distracting driving next to the dogs the tight passage and sun glare

its bad

[Lrn2dnc]

blatant example of assclownery

LMAO!

That deserves a dancing banana.

[DogLover]

Sonia - Have you heard anything from management about when they are going to install a double fence and section off a part of the park for the non agressive dogs?

[NewportLady]

DogLover,

Look at the plans Prashant posted, it includes an area for a new dog run that will be located inside the Pier Park. Is this the dog run you are talking about? Or the island area located on Newport Parkway, which is obviously a very poor spot for a dog run. :(

[DogLover]

Well, another dog ran into the street again this week because there is no double fence. Has anyone heard anything from management or are we going to have to wait until a dog gets seriously hurt before something gets done?

[Sonia]

Next week, I will once more speak to Fermin Garcia about the double fence. Management has been unreceptive to doing additional work on the current dog run because they expect to build a new dog run soon. However, apparently there is a need to mitigate the risk of one of our dogs getting hurt in the interim. You guys can help by calling or emailing Fermin, and voicing your concerns. I'm sure he will listen to reason, especially if enough of us are letting him know how we feel.

[JerseyDevil]

Hi Sonia,
Any update from Mr.Fermin. The entry gate on the side closest to the river was hit by a car and the lock was broken. It is now held together by some chicken wire!
The open gate wouldn't be as bad if people would obey traffic laws. Many people ignore the two stop signs at the intersection of River Dr. and Newport Pkwy. Additionally people must think Newport Pkwy. is some sort of drag strip. They drive like there is no speed limit. Is there anyway that can install some rubber speed bumps like they have in front of the buildings?

[Sonia]

Hi Jersey Devil,

Fermin will walk over to the dog park tomorrow to inspect the condition of the gate, and arrange for any necessary repairs.

I agree with you that the intersection of Newport Parkway, and River Drive South poses a traffic risk, requiring better policing by Jersey City and lower speed limits.

I will contact our current Councilman, and Councilman-at-large, to see if they can resolve the problem immediately. We hope this does not require an application to the City Council, in which case, we may have to wait for the Councilman-elect to take office in July. We also have the option of petitioning the city ourselves.

[Sonia]

JD,

I understand the gate is being repaired.

Also, I sent an email to Councilman Maldonado requesting his assistance on the traffic problem with the intersection. Will post progress.

[JerseyDevil]

Thank You Sonia! Let me know if I can be of any assistance with either matter.

[DogLover]

As of today, May 24th, the gate still HAS NOT been fixed, nor has a double fence or smaller dog run been installed. This is an absolute outrage. As we have told management on numerous occasions, we are in a location that can easily be hit by cars, as witnessed by the broken fence. To add insult to injury, after weeks of telling management about the dangers of this park and the broken fence, nothing has been done. Our safety, as well as our pets safety is at risk and management could care less. It's bad enough that there isn't a double fence, but now since the gate is broken, it will be even easier for our beloved dogs to run out. Are they waiting for someting to happen before they do anything? What will they do when something serious happens? Will they ignore it then too?

[Sonia]

Doglover,

There are no plans to install a double gate or smaller dog run at this location, but the gate is supposed to be fixed. I will contact management tomorrow to see why this hasn't happened yet. Unless there's a safety risk, our beloved dogs will have to wait until we move to the new dog run, to enjoy all the other amenities.

[smp9778]

That entire intersection is a safety hazard.

First, as you take a left turn from Duane Reade onto Newport Parkway in a car, the fences for the dog run are too high and too close to the road. Since they got rid of the sidewalk, pedestrians walk up the north side of Newport Parkway in the road. As you turn the corner, it is very difficult to see anybody walking up the road. I have seen mothers with strollers walking against traffic up the middle of that street. If pedestrians are going to walk against traffic on that street, they need to move the fence back so that drivers can see around the corner. I also wonder if they should just ban parking on that side of Newport Parkway, and use the parked car lane as a sidewalk. There is a good chance that a person (not just an animal) is going to get hit in that intersection.

Second, they need to tow the cars that illegally park directly next to the stop sign in front of Duane Reade. One reason why so many run that stop sign is that there is often a car (or a van making deliveries to Duane Reade) blocking drivers from seeing the stop sign. It would also be good if they designated a no-parking zone for Duane Reade deliveries, so they don't illegally park right in front of the stop sign.

Third, they need to install a speed bump by the stop sign to slow traffic.

The bottom line is that the whole intersection is very poorly designed.

[DogLover]

The entire intersection is terrible and is extremely unsafe. The one thing that I find almost laughable was that the location of our current dog park had originally been designed to be a putting green. However, it was deemed unsafe so it never happened. It's funny that it was then deemed unsafe, but now it's ok for dogs and their owners? Is our safety less of a concern than golfers? I also find it funny that management has the nerve to say that this dog park is temporary. The old dog park was supposed to be 'temporary', yet was there for years. Do they really expect us to believe that we will only be in this park for a short while? Management here is a joke.....its no wonder why I hear that more and more people are leaving Newport and I, too, am hoping to be one of the people that leave here to go to a more professionally run and safer community, a community that cares about its residents and their pets.

[Stinky]

Smp, I noticed that they are removing the trees on the north side of Newport Parkway. I suspect that it's to give the semblance of a pedestrian sidewalk there which will make it a bit better.

But you are certainly right that the whole junction is a mess (as is the rest of the traffix on River Drive South and Town Square).

Maybe it's time for a campaign to get traffic lights installed. Fewer people jump red light that Stop signs. Where would you put them?

Pavonia + Town Square
Town Square + River Drive South
River Drive South + Newport Parkway

That might make the area a bit safer.

[Sonia]

Please be patient. All the necessary officials have been notified, and are working to resolve the problem ASAP.

Doglover,

Would you prefer they close down the current run? At least right now the dogs' have a place to exercise until the new area is completed. Most communities don't have a dog run, and many prohibit dogs altogether. Landlords (including ours) are not obliged to provide a dog run.

[JerseyDevil]

I agree with you Sonia. The dog park is a great amenity to have in the neighborhood. I feel if some of the traffic issues stated in previous posts are taken care it may relieve some dog owners stress of there not being a double gate in the run. Additionally we are forgetting about the parents who walk their children though that intersection also. I think it poses a bit of danger to them as well as our pets. :eek:

[msion1]

Yes, the dog park is a great amenity that not all properties have. But let's not forget that we've paid for that amenity and its upkeep. The management gladly took my $75 and gave me an unsafe dog run in return. I understand that this is a temporary situation, although the meaning of temporary seems to be inconsistent. However long-term or short-term this temporary solution is, it should still be safe. Instead of fixing the broken gate, just lock it. Let us use the gate that's in the middle of that little sidewalk. It's currently padlocked, but why not open that up, and let us enter and exit the dog park away from the corner that cars are whipping around?