Community News

Dogs get their day at Newbridge Road Park

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Bellmorites Norma Seidman and Lenny Rosenzweig have waited a long time for the new Town of Hempstead dog park at Newbridge Road Park. “We’ve been waiting, and calling up and saying when is it going to be ready?” Seidman said.

She and Rosenzweig were among the dozens of local dog lovers who attended the 14,025-square-foot dog park’s grand opening on Sept. 21. They sat with their small dogs –– one black and the other white –– on a bridge that the animals can run over. They were taking in the late-summer sun and joyous chaos of dogs, big and small, running to and fro, lost in play.

Seidman said she loves how the dog park “is close to home. We’re right around the corner.” She said she plans to bring Zoey, a poodle mix, to the park often.

“It’s great,” she said of the canine playground, complete with bridges, jumps and hoops. “It’s very, very good.”

“This is a great destination where dogs can play, socialize, burn off excess energy and share some quality time with their furry and human companions,” said Town Supervisor Anthony Santino. “We are excited to unveil the [town’s] first dog park, a state of the art facility now open and free for all town residents and their dogs.”

The park is open only to Hempstead residents. Owners must provide proof of their pets’ current rabies vaccinations and current town dog licenses.

“A healthy dog is a happy dog,” said Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney. “This park is beautiful and will be used by dog owners and their best furry friends for years to come.”

The park features two sides, which are fenced off from each other –– one for large dogs and one for small ones. Synthetic turf grass covers the entire park. There are water fountains for humans and animals alike.

Seidman said she hopes people will clean up their pets’ feces. The town is providing plastic garbage bags to pick up after their dogs. Garbage receptacles are designated for disposal of droppings.

Seidman also wondered whether the town might plant shade trees around the park. Currently, umbrellas over small picnic tables provide the only shade. “They need big trees overhanging,” she said.

Kristine DeLorenzo of Wantagh, Cherylynn Koneski of Hicksville and Bill Smalling of Bellmore usually bring their dogs to the park at Nassau County’s Cedar Creek Park in Seaford. “We just met down at the dog park,” Smalling said.

The trio came to check out the town’s new dog park, and all three said they were impressed. Cedar Creek, DeLorenzo said, is bigger and more open, but “it’s just dirt,” quickly adding that the dogs “do like to dig.”

Stacey Weiner, of Merrick, also said she liked the town’s new dog park. “I had to check out the new place … .” she said. “This is beautiful.”