Greenpoint parkgoers and pet owners battle over park use; hope the city steps in to help
According to NYC Parks, enforcement is ongoing. The agency says it issued almost 90 summonses to pet owners at Newtown Barge Park last year alone.
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Some parkgoers and pet owners at Newtown Barge Park say there’s one thing that immediately stands out -dog waste.
“There’s poop in there right now. It’s disgusting,” said pet owner Tanoopa Jeikeran. Residents say the problem isn’t limited to the open field. Across the street, they claim dog waste can also be found throughout the playground.
“Oh yes, everywhere you can go, you can find it,” said Grace, a neighborhood resident. “People don’t clean up after their dogs.”
According to NYC Parks, enforcement is ongoing. The agency says it issued almost 90 summonses to pet owners at Newtown Barge Park last year alone. Some dog owners acknowledge the issue but say limited options contribute to the problem.
“I see dogs come here all the time. I know this is not for dogs,” said pet owner Adrian Valledares. “But I do think we need more for animals.”
The nearest dog run is nearly 30 minutes away, leaving some pet owners feeling they have few safe, nearby alternatives.
“That’s dangerous in my opinion, not having a fenced-in area where dogs can run,” Jeikeran said. “It’s like a lose-lose situation, and this is the only place that you would have.”
NYC Parks tells News 12 that it encourages "all New Yorkers to take advantage of [their] parks for fun, play, and relaxation," but says "pet owners should always obey the rules, and respect the park and others."
NYC Parks added that "owners must pick up after their dog and dispose of the waste in containers provided" in the park, and that "there are nearly 20 dog runs and over 20 off-leash areas throughout Brooklyn" and that "Newtown Barge Park is not one of them."
