47.0°,
Mostly Cloudy Valley Stream dog park taking shape
Opening delayed until spring 2012
Though Valley Stream’s dog park is still likely a few months from opening, the facility is starting to take shape along a grassy strip by Village Hall. Though some had hopes for a fall opening, it now looks like the park’s debut will be in the spring.
As expected, village officials have chosen a strip of land between the Long Island Rail Road tracks and the Village Hall parking lot. There will be two separate facilities — one for large dogs and one for small dogs.
At its October meeting, the village board awarded the bid for fencing to Brett Fence and Construction of Franklin Square for $17,340. Deputy Mayor Vincent Grasso said he expects the fencing will be installed within the next week. The next step, he said, will be installing pipes there to have a water source for dogs, but Grasso added that work won’t likely be completed until after the winter. One of the reasons the site was chosen over other locations was because of the ease of getting a water supply there.
Richard Infield, a leader of Friends of Valley Stream Dog Park, said his ideal location was actually on the other side of the train tracks, adjacent to Sunrise Highway. But he said he is satisfied with the choice and is grateful the village is giving up land for a dog run.
But Infield, a Valley Stream resident for nearly 20 years, said he had hoped the park would open in December. “I’m disappointment because I personally think that means we’re going to have a lot of dogs that aren’t well exercised over the winter,” he said. “What tends to happen is dogs get cooped up in houses. Winter is almost more important to have a dog run than summer.”
Friends of Valley Stream Dog Park, which is working to become a recognized non-profit organization, will likely be responsible for the management of the park. Leaders from the group have worked with the village to create the design.
Grasso said he believes this cooperation will work out well. While the village is responsible for building the park and for basic maintenance, he said he wants local dog owners to take responsibility for the facility. “Dog park folks are very enthusiastic about dog parks,” Grasso said. “We think that they will be able to carry the mantle and regulate it on their own.”
