New Dog Park in Suffolk County’s Gardiner Park!
Construction Started Late Last Fall and Should Be Done This Spring
Photo Credit: Nancy Hassel
A large, new dog park is under construction at Suffolk County’s popular Gardiner Park in Bay Shore. The dog park is scheduled to open in the spring 2019. The site for the off-leash area, in the northwest corner of Gardiner Park, has been prepared and in an effort to provide shade during the summer and a more natural setting, many of the existing trees have been left in place, according to Suffolk Parks Commissioner Phil Berdolt. The dog park will have three sections: a 80′ x 300′ small dog area; a 120′ x 300′ large dog area and a 40′ x 100′ agility training area. The provision of a agility training area is a first for a Suffolk County dog park, the Parks Commissioner noted. Each of the sections will be completely fenced by 4′ high black vinyl coated chain link fence. In addition, two watering locations have been installed. The total dog recreation site will cover 64,000 square feet or about one and one-half acres.
The funds for the new dog park come from a $100,000 grant obtained by New York State Sen. Phil Boyle. Former Suffolk Legislator (now NYS Senator) Monica Martinez sponsored the resolution in the Suffolk Legislature to accept the grant and authorize the dog park.
As is the case for all Suffolk County parks, on-leash dog walking will continue to be allowed throughout Gardiner Park. Some dog owners had been told that on-leash dog walking was at risk as a result of the new dog park. However, in a statement Commissioner Berdolt noted: “This is our most utilized park for patrons and their pets. We will continue to keep this park an on-leash friendly park.”
In order to make sure Gardiner Park works for all park patrons, please keep your dogs leashed unless you are in the dog park itself. Also, as always, please remember to clean up after your dog.