Location Prior to Construction (Photo: QueensPost)
June 20, 2019 By Shane O’Brien
Astoria’s first dog run has opened although the official unveiling is scheduled for mid-July.
The long-awaited dog park at Triborough Bridge Playground C on Hoyt Avenue was open to the public Thursday and pooches large and small were seen to be enjoying the new play space.
The bone-shaped park, which cost over $1 million to develop, was scheduled to open in April, but was met with delays due to drainage issues and problems with the contractor, according to Council Member Costa Constantinides.
“I am happy to see the Astoria dog park open at long last,” Constantinides said. “I want to thank Astoria residents for their patience throughout this process, which at points was frustrating for all of us. I hope the community enjoys this space, especially our four-legged friends.”
Patch was first to report that the run had opened.
The park incorporates an area for large dogs and an area for small dogs and also has spray hydrants, drinking fountains complete with dog bowls and a rocky play area for dogs to climb over.
The push for a dog park in Astoria began as far back as 2014 when resident dog owners released a petition calling for a safe space for dogs which gained over 700 signatures and the backing of Constantinides.
The following year, the community voted in a participatory budgeting poll to direct $500,000 in capital funding to a new dog run. Borough President Melinda Katz agreed to contribute an additional $500,000 later that year to fully fund the project.
The project’s design phase began in 2016.
Rendering (Source: Parks Dept.)
