West Hills Large Dog Park Reopened! Temporary Fencing Dividing West Hills Small Dog Park Removed. The actions by the Suffolk Parks Dept. in early January follow a NYS DEC report that found no contamination in or close to the large dog park as a result of illegal dumping nearby. Read the details at Large Dog Park at West Hills County Park Reopened!
Large Dog Park at West Hills County Park Reopened!
Suffolk Parks Action Follows Temporary Closure Due to Illegal Dumping Nearby
Maki and Rider Enjoying the West Hills Large Dog Park Photo Credit: Dana Richter Photography
The West Hills Large Dog Park on Sweet Hollow Rd. has reopened! The Suffolk Parks Dept. took the action on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, after an investigation by the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation found there was no contamination in or close to the dog park. Health concerns had been raised as a result of illegal dumping at the nearby Sweet Hills Stables.
Suffolk Parks Commissioner Philip Berdolt explained the decision in a statement released to LI-DOG on Jan. 9th:
We are pleased to reopen the large dog park at West Hills. After a long investigation and extensive testing done by NYSDEC, it has been determined that there are no contaminants in or close to the dog park and therefore we are able to reopen. We thank the Public for patience and understanding during this difficult time and look forward to welcoming all the happy four legged friends back! Thank you and enjoy!
At the same time as the large dog park was reopened, the West Hills small dog park on High Hold Drive was restored to its full size. In an effort to accommodate users of the large dog park, which was temporarily closed in Sept. while the investigation into illegal dumping got underway, the Parks Dept. had installed temporary fencing in the small dog park dividing it into two. While LI-DOG proposed alternative temporary off-leash areas for users of the large dog park, the Parks Dept. noted that dividing the small dog park in two was the only option given the County’s dire financial situation. (Read about the division of the small dog park and the closing of the large dog park at West Hills Dog Park Closes Temporarily)
The temporary fencing in the small dog park has now been removed and the small dog park, which covers one-third of an acre, is once again only for dogs 25 pounds and under. The large dog park, which covers almost two acres on Sweet Hollow Rd., is for dogs 26 pounds and over.
At one time the dog park on High Hold Drive was the only dog park in Suffolk County. In 2005 and 2006, LI-DOG worked with Suffolk County Legislator Lou D’Amaro and the Suffolk County Parks Dept. to transform an often unused field on Sweet Hollow Rd. into the West Hills large dog park.
The reopening of the large dog park on Sweet Hollow Rd. follows a Nov. 2016 letter to Suffolk County residents by the Suffolk Dept. of Health Services in which the Dept. noted that laboratory analyses of soil in the vicinity of the riding stable “do not suggest excessive, widespread contamination…even though the levels may exceed those required for criminal prosecution.” In fact, contaminant levels “do not represent an unusual exposure for an active recreational setting, like the riding center,” the Dept. wrote. (Read the Suffolk Health Dept. Letter on West Hills.)
We at LI-DOG are extremely grateful to the Suffolk County Parks Dept. for its diligent and proactive approach to managing the situation with the large dog park at West Hills County Park. Both dog parks in West Hills have become important to the daily lives of many people and their dogs. Thank you, Suffolk Parks, for working to meet the needs of those of us who love and cherish our dogs!
To get the latest on the West Hills small dog park, go to the West Hills Small Dog Park Facebook Group . To check out what’s happening at the West Hills large dog park, go to the West Hills Dog Park Facebook Group.
Thank you for your support!
West Hills Large Dog Park Closed Due to Illegal
Dumping Nearby
Small Dog Park on High Hold Drive Split to
Accommodate Large Dogs
Photo Credit: Dana Richter Photography
The West Hills Dog Park for large dogs, which covers almost two acres on Sweet Hollow Rd., has been closed temporarily as a result of illegal dumping at the nearby Sweet Hills Stables. At this point, there is no evidence that contaminated material was illegally dumped in the dog park itself as the soil did not appear disturbed. Moreover, the Suffolk Dept. of Health Services announced on Nov. 3, 2016 that laboratory analyses “do not suggest excessive, widespread contamination…even though the levels may exceed those required for criminal prosecution.” In fact, contaminant levels “do not represent an unusual exposure for an active recreational setting, like the riding center,” the Health Dept. concluded.
Nevertheless, the dog park was closed and will remain closed while the investigation into illegal dumping continues by the District Attorney’s office. “Due to the sheer scope of the situation and the fact that it is still a very active and ongoing investigation, [rectifying the situation] is likely to take longer than anyone would like,” Adina Beedenbender, Assistant to Suffolk Parks Commissioner Phil Berdolt, wrote in an email to LI-DOG on Oct. 21st.
In an effort to accommodate users of the large dog park, the Suffolk Parks Dept. on Tues., Oct. 25th installed temporary fencing in the West Hills small dog park on High Hold Drive, dividing it into two not quite equal halves. The small dog park covers approximately one-third of an acre.
Photo Credit: Victoria Zappola
In emails to the Parks Dept. starting on Fri., Oct. 21st, LI-DOG urged the Parks Dept. to look at alternatives to splitting the High Hold Drive dog park in two. LI-DOG expressed concerns that the two halves would be too small for either big or small dogs and that the situation could lead to overcrowding and issues between dogs. “The main reason LI-DOG worked so hard in 2006 to get the large dog park on Sweet Hollow Rd. created was because of complaints about overcrowding and problems at the dog park on High Hold Dr.,” LI-DOG wrote in its email. At one time the High Hold Drive dog park was the only dog park in Suffolk County.
Rather than create two very small off-leash areas, LI-DOG proposed that the Parks Dept. consider creating temporary off-leash areas in other open areas of West Hills Park. One possibility would be the back half of the parking lot on High Hold Drive. While the surface would need to be dealt with as it is currently gravel and dirt, the area is a decent size and could be easily fenced with temporary fencing. LI-DOG also proposed creating a temporary dog park on the large field south of the small dog park or even creating an off-leash hours program on that large field, in the mornings and evenings, for example, when people could let their dogs off-leash.
Unfortunately, Parks Commissioner Berdolt responded that at the time dividing the small dog park in two while “not ideal,” was the” only option,” given there’s no money in the budget for anything other than everyday operations. “Please remember this situation was not created by the county and we are doing our best to accommodate the public,” the Commissioner added.
We at LI-DOG are extremely disappointed and frustrated with the closure of the West Hills Large Dog Park on Sweet Hollow Rd. We worked hard with Suffolk County Leg. Lou D’Amaro to get this big, beautiful dog park created and for 10 years it has been an important part of the daily lives of many people and their dogs. We hope those responsible for the illegal dumping and the closure of the large dog park will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and that when the large dog park at West Hills County Park reopens it will be better than ever.
In the meantime, we will monitor the situation and provide updates on new information as we receive it. We invite dog owners to reach out to us at lidog_news@yahoo.com with any ideas, questions, or information.
For conditions at the West Hills dog park, check out the West Hills Small Dog Park Facebook Group or the Facebook Group for the large dog park community at West Hills Dog Park.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
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