Gentile barks up the right tree with new dog run

Southwest Brooklyn has gone to the dogs!

Councilmember Vincent Gentile has secured an allocation of $850,000to renovate two area dog runs. The funding will give an extrememakeover to the already existing — and dilapidated — dog exerciseareas: $650,000 will be invested in the one at 86th Street andSeventh Avenue in Dyker Beach Park and $200,000 will be utilized torenovate the one at Shore Road and 68th Street in Owl’s HeadPark.

Dyker Beach isn’t even an official dog run, but this will make itone, Gentile said, noting that both parks will have gravelsurfaces, instead of the existing dirt, sand and grass. Gravel isstandard for runs – it provides more drainage to keep the areaclean. There will also be brand new fencing, benches, drainage andfountains.

At the moment, this run only exists because owners of the DykerBeach golf course permit dog owners to let their canine friendsroam without leashes.

The run at Owl’s Head Park will be fully reconstructed, Gentilesaid. There will also be new gravel, fences, benches andfountains, he explained. Right now, there is no source of waterat that run.

One Bay Ridge dog walker was happy to hear about theimprovements.

It took them long enough, said Nelson Delgado, who had threepooches of various sizes in tow on his way to Owl’s Head. Theybuilt this over 10 years ago. It’s about time we have somethingreal.

But, Gentile warned that even after the dog runs are refurbished,it is up to dog owners to maintain the space. They are going to bereally attractive places, he said. We are going to give them newtools and amenities and it’s up to them to keep it clean.

Gentile added that this was his first time addressing both canineand human needs. There is a growing call for these types ofprograms, he said.