Dogpark dilemma

Parks & Recreation, April, 2006 by Garrett Rosso

I am a manager of Tompkins Square Dog Run in New York City, N.Y. We are the first and largest dog run that was built in the city.

We have had a very good relationship with our parks department, however, there is definitely a need for an article helping user groups understand who they need to work with. Too many groups cast their park and recreation department as the enemy.

Unfortunately, here in New York we have a new, emerging issue--funding.

After years of use, our dogparks are deteriorating rapidly. Although NYC Parks continues to work with us to forge architectural plans and upgrades, they do not have the funding. It is falling back on user groups to raise in excess of $100,000 for the necessary renovations.

Unfortunately there is little precedent for corporations to give to something so specific as a dogrun. Those of us seeking to fund the Tompkins Square Dog Run renovation are on the front lines of this struggle.

Garrett Rosso, Manager

Tompkins Square Dog Run

New York City, N.Y.