Press Release
August 27, 2015
Randy Simons
Dan Keefe
518-486-1868
New York State Parks Announces Opening of New Dog Run at Gantry Plaza State Park
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey, joined by local residents and community leaders, today officially opened a new dog run at Gantry Plaza State Park.
"This revitalized area of the park provides a welcoming place for patrons to bring their pets to safely run around and enjoy the park. This new amenity addresses a need within the community and will benefit all park patrons by offering a maintained and aesthetically pleasing area for dogs," Harvey said.
State Parks worked with local residential developer, TF Cornerstone, to design the dog run and after community review, construction on the $750,000 project began last spring. The new dog run, funded through the Queens West Public Infrastructure Fund, replaces an unsightly area of the park that was used by dog owners but offered no amenities. The dog run features a beach pebble surface, multi-user drinking fountain, sustainable hardwood seating, stainless steel mesh fence mounted on concrete curb, and a perimeter landscape buffer. Dog waste bags are provided on site.
"Providing the growing neighborhood of Long Island City with more park space is one of my top priorities, and the Gantry Plaza Dog Run will be yet another safe, enjoyable place for our community to enjoy. I am hopeful this new space will successfully balance the needs of our community members so that parents, students, and dog owners alike can welcome this addition to our neighborhood," said New York State Senator Michael Gianaris.
"It is wonderful that this new dog run is completed," said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan. "Western Queens residents and visitors will now be able to enjoy this wonderful community project. I'd like to thank New York State Parks Department for their dedication to this project."
"The addition of Gantry Plaza State Park's new versatile dog run provides Long Island City's growing population of dog owners with increased access to open space in a park that has become one of New York City's top destinations," said New York City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. "As Long Island City continues to grow it is important that we continue to provide families with the quality amenities they can enjoy for years to come in a great neighborhood that cherishes the companionship of its furry little friends."
"We congratulate the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on the official opening of this dog run on the Long Island City waterfront, which is enjoyed year-round by local residents and visitors alike. The much-needed amenity is a welcomed addition and another sign of the community's transformation since we first started building mixed-use residential properties at this site more than 10 years ago," said Frank D. Vasta, Executive Vice President, TF Cornerstone.
The dog run is open to the public twenty-four hours a day. Gantry Plaza State Park is a 12-acre park in Long Island City that boasts spectacular views of the midtown Manhattan skyline, including the Empire State Building and the United Nations.
Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State is making a historic commitment to improving and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor's NY Parks 2020 program is a multi-year commitment to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The Governor's 2015-16 Executive Budget allocates $110 million toward this initiative.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 62 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.