Latest News
To review past news items go to the LI-DOG News Archives page.
Act Now: Urge Gov. Hochul to Open No-Swimming Beaches to Leashed Dogs Off-Season
LI-DOG is asking dog lovers to email the New York Governor TODAY urging her to allow responsible dog owners to walk leashed dogs on non-bathing NYS beaches during the off-season. If the Governor wants support from the broad cross-section of Long Island families who have dogs in November, now is the time to act! Get a sample email and contact information at: Act Now! Urge Gov. Hochul to Open No-Swimming Beaches to Leashed Dogs.
Community Dog Park Coalition Launches in Patchogue!
LI-DOG Joins Effort to Create State-of-the-Art Dog Park
LI-DOG is excited to announce that it is participating in the newly formed Community Dog Park Coalition in the Village of Patchogue, a collaborative initiative focused on creating a state-of-the-art dog park for local residents, visitors, and their canine companions. The coalition’s mission is to develop a welcoming, off-leash recreational space that enhances the Village of Patchogue through a blend of arts, wellness, and volunteerism. A petition is now available to help build momentum for the project. To get a link to the petition and more information about this exciting project, go to Community Dog Park Coalition Launches in Patchogue!
New LI-DOG Video Shows People and Pups Enjoying a Day of Fun and Friendship at LI-DOG’s Annual Mud Creek Beach Meetup!
In July, dozens of people and their pups joined LI-DOG for their annual Mud Creek Beach Meetup. The meetup featured wagging tails, happy people and a warm, welcoming vibe. Mud Creek Off-Leash Beach is one of the few places on Long Island where dogs can safely run and play on a beach and wade and swim in the calm waters of the Great South Bay. The video shows the pleasure dog-friendly parks and beaches bring to people and their dogs and Long Island’s need for more places like this! To see great shots of dogs and people having fun at the beach, check out LI-DOG’s Mud Creek Meetup Video!
LI-DOG President’s 2024 Report: LI-DOG Will Succeed In Getting More Access To NYS Parks And Beaches Despite Veto of Popular Dog-Friendly Parks Legislation
The New York Governor’s surprising veto of legislation to allow dogs in all New York State Parks cannot diminish the accomplishments of the campaign to increase access to NYS parks on Long Island. Not only did the legislation gain overwhelming support in the NYS Legislature, but thousands of New Yorkers, including many Long Islanders, signed LI-DOG’s petition to lift the ban on dogs on LI beaches. LI-DOG plans to build on that broad support to find suitable dog-friendly parks and beaches on LI with the NYS Office of Parks. To read a lightly edited assessment of the campaign and other 2024 accomplishments, go to LI-DOG President’s 2024 Report.
NYS Legislature Overwhelmingly Approves Legislation to Allow Dogs in ALL NYS Parks!
Legislation Next Goes to NY Governor for Final Approval
The New York State Legislature voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation to allow dogs in ALL NYS parks in early June. The legislation, sponsored by NYS Senator Monica Martinez and Assemblyman Steve Stern, is designed to increase access to New York State parks for people with dogs, while at the same time protecting wildlife and respecting the ability of all New Yorkers to enjoy state parks. For details on how it happened, go to NYS Legislature Overwhelmingly Approves Legislation to Allow Dogs in NYS Parks!
Opening Long Island’s New York State Parks to People with Dogs Tops LI-DOG’s 2024 Agenda!
With the New York Legislature back in session, LI-DOG is relaunching its campaign to get legislation passed that will allow dogs in all New York State parks. Right now, people with dogs are denied access to more than 14,000 acres of NYS public parks on Long Island, including all beaches. NYS Senator Monica Martinez and Assemblyman Steve Stern, sponsors of the legislation, have reiterated their commitment to getting their bills passed this year. We need YOUR help and time is of the essence! For more information about the campaign, go to Opening LI’s NYS Parks to People with Dogs Tops LI-DOG’s 2024 Agenda.
LI-DOG’s Dog Water Fountain Donation to Huntington’s Heckscher Park Celebrated on July 7th!
It was a hot and sunny day when Huntington Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol joined LI-DOG, other dog owners and their pups to celebrate the grand opening of a new dog water fountain donated by LI-DOG to Huntington’s Heckscher Park. The donation is part of an effort by LI-DOG to enhance the enjoyment of dog-friendly parks on Long Island by dog owners and their dogs. LI-DOG also made the donation in grateful acknowledgement of the Town of Huntington’s decision two years ago to allow on-leash dog walking in the town’s signature community park. To get details on the grand opening and LI-DOG’s donation, go to LI-DOG’s Dog Water Fountain Donation to Huntington’s Heckscher Park!
LI-DOG Bench is In at Belmont Lake State Park Dog Run!
The dog run at Belmont Lake State Park in Babylon has a new amenity–a bench donated by LI-DOG. LI-DOG made the donation, a first for the organization, through New York State’s Natural Heritage Trust, which allows individuals and organizations to donate to programs and projects that benefit NYS parks. The installation of the new bench was celebrated by dogs and their people at LI-DOG’s Pack Walk™ at Belmont Lake SP in May 2022. On the bench is a plaque that reads: For all the happy dogs and their people. Enjoy! LI-DOG. For more information about the bench and the dog run, check out LI-DOG Bench is In at Belmont Lake SP Dog Run!
LI-DOG’s “Outstanding Accomplishments” Highlighted in AKC Family Dog!
A recent issue of AKC Family Dog magazine features an article on LI-DOG and the groundbreaking work it has done to lift anti-dog laws and open public parks on Long Island to dog owners and their dogs. Titled “Who Let the Dogs In?” the article notes when LI-DOG started in 2004, there were only a few small dog parks and very little on-leash access to public parks on LI. Today, dog owners have more than three dozen dog parks for off-leash play and thousands of acres of parkland where they can walk their dogs on-leash–“thanks to the efforts of a dedicated nonprofit called LI-DOG,” according to the magazine. The American Kennel Club’s Vice President for Government Relations says in the article, “LI-DOG’s outstanding accomplishments are a testament to what local dog owners can achieve when they work together.” For a link to the article and more information, go to LI-DOG Article in AKC Family Dog!
Eisenhower Dog Park Renovated and Reopened!
The Eisenhower Dog Park, which LI-DOG worked with Nassau County to get opened in 2012, has been renovated with artificial turf, new plantings, and a brightly painted butterfly bench. The dog park, which also features water fountains and a gazebo, was closed in Nov. 2021 so the renovation work could be done and was reopened with a ribbon cutting ceremony in May 2022. Local dog owners are pleased with the improvements. Check it out! For more information, go to Eisenhower Dog Park Renovated and Reopened!
Lift the Dog Ban on New York’s Long Island Beaches! LI-DOG Launches Petition to Let People Bring Their Dogs to the Beach
Long Island is surrounded by hundreds of miles of beaches, but the New York State Office of Parks, which manages 14,000 acres of Long Island parks that have shoreline access, prohibits ALL access to NYS beaches on Long Island to people with dogs! Denying access to so much recreational space to dog owners who pay taxes that support this public parkland is not right. People with dogs have the right to enjoy public parks and beaches just like anyone else. Sign LI-DOG’s Petition to Lift the Dog Ban on New York’s LI beaches NOW! For details on the petition and LI-DOG’s efforts to gain access to beaches on LI, go to Lift the Dog Ban on NY’s LI Beaches!
LI-DOG President’s 2020 Report: Access to Public Parks and Beaches is a Basic Right and Need–Whether You Have a Dog or Not
The year 2020 has been a terrible year for many people, but there were positives as well, especially for dogs. More dogs found new homes, dog owners spent more time with their dogs, and dogs–and their people–got out more. 2020 also saw the realization of one of LI-DOG’s long-time goals–access to Huntington’s pretty Heckscher Park. This pandemic year when people sought refuge in outdoor parks drove home the lesson that access to public parks and beaches is a basic right and need. To read a slightly edited version of the president’s assessment of 2020, go to the LI-DOG President’s 2020 Report.
Huntington Town Board Votes to Make Heckscher Park Permanently Dog-Friendly!
The Huntington Town Board voted unanimously on Nov. 19th to permanently allow on-leash dog walking in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. The vote came on a resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Joan Cergol who led the effort to allow on-leash dog walking in Huntington’s signature community park. It followed an almost year-long, successful pilot program in which on-leash dog walking gained broad support in the community. For more information on how it happened, go to Huntington Town Board Votes to Make Heckscher Park Permanently Dog Friendly!
Oyster Bay Opens New Dog Park at Centre Island Beach in Bayville!
12 Small Parks Also Now Designated On-Leash Dog-Friendly. The Town of Oyster Bay made two big announcements in October that has tails wagging for resident dog owners: A pilot program for on-leash walking in 12 Town parklettes–small neighborhood parks–and the opening of the first dedicated dog park on the North Shore – at Centre Island Beach in Bayville! To get details, go to Oyster Bay Opens New Dog Park at Centre Island Beach!
Gardiner Dog Park Now Open!
Suffolk County’s popular Gardiner Park in Bay Shore has a big new dog park. The dog park features large dog, small dog and an agility training area–a first for a Suffolk County park. The dog park is the result of the efforts of New York State Sen. Phil Boyle and NYS Sen. Monica Martinez. To get the details including information on how to thank NYS Senators Boyle and Martinez, go to Gardiner Dog Park Now Open!
