We are happy to report that in response to requests from Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning, LI-DOG and our fellow dog owners, the Suffolk County Parks Dept. will finally install new fencing at the Robinson Duck Farm Dog Park in Brookhaven Hamlet. The new fencing—so-called “livestock” fencing , woven wire fencing with a 4”x4” square wire mesh pattern strung between wood posts and beams -- is expected to last much longer and do a better job of keeping dogs in the park than the snow fencing currently in use. The fencing was recommended by LI-DOG after seeing it in dog parks in Minnesota and Nashville, Tenn. It is scheduled to be installed this summer.

The Parks Dept. also plans the following improvements at Robinson:

• In a letter to Leg. Browning, Deputy Parks Commissioner Tracey Bellone said garbage receptacles will be added this year (we assume they will also pick up the garbage).
• A small dog area will be created within the park.
• Waste bag dispensers made of PVC pipe will be made by the Dept. and installed so park patrons can bring their own plastic bags.

Unfortunately, a shade structure will not be constructed because of NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation regulations. The Dept. is now looking into the possibility of planting trees for shade, Parks Commissioner Joseph Montuori told LI-DOG.

The improvements at Robinson come after LI-DOG met with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and members of their staff in February and after Leg. Kate Browning, who represents this area, wrote the Dept. a strong letter saying that while an inexpensive approach to building a dog park is understandable in tough financial times, “there is never an appropriate time to jeopardize the safety of our residents and their pets.” Noting the lackluster condition of the fencing allowed a dog to escape and be killed on Montauk Highway, Leg. Browning wrote “The close vicinity to a main road requires permanent fencing…We have already had one unacceptable tragedy. Any more would be negligence on the part of the Parks Dept.”

In a note to LI-DOG, an aide to Leg. Browning also said that the pilot program phase is now over and that the upgrades should bring “a better quality of service and a better experience” to the dog owners of Suffolk County.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Please let Leg. Kate Browning know how much you appreciate her successful effort to improve the safety of the Robinson Farm Dog Park. Email her at Kate.Browning@suffolkcountyny.gov or give her a call at 631-852-1300. She’ll appreciate it!

As always, keep in touch by e-mailing us at lidog_news@yahoo.com.