Dog waste remains problem on West 23rd Street despite winter storm cleanup
Neighbors say navigating sidewalks in the area has become increasingly difficult, with some describing the experience as an obstacle course.
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Even as snow and ice continue to melt from the city’s recent winter storm, residents on West 23rd Street say another mess remains underfoot: dog waste.
Neighbors say navigating sidewalks in the area has become increasingly difficult, with some describing the experience as an obstacle course.
“Yeah, you definitely have to keep an eye out on the ground,” said Eleni Eleftheriou, who lives nearby. “I can notice a lot of smashed or walked-on waste, I’m trying to avoid that same fate.”
Despite the presence of dog bag stations and trash bins along parts of the path, residents say the problem persists. Some describe avoiding piles of waste as feeling like “an Olympic winter sport.”
“So it’s been like this for weeks,” said Edwin Morales, a local pet owner. “With the weather getting worse, it’s not letting up. Just walk around this building here and you can throw away dog poop. It’s not that hard.”
City records show five separate 311 complaints reporting dirty conditions in the area between November and February. Neighbors say part of the issue may be a lack of accessible garbage cans.
“Especially in Greenpoint, you go four or five blocks and you might not see a garbage can,” said Dylan Kaplowitz. “I think they should be on every corner and people might pick up after their dogs.”
Some pet owners say they are choosing to walk their dogs to nearby parks instead, where waste disposal stations are more readily available.
“There are bags for disposal there,” said Erin Carroll, a pet owner. “It’s better for the waste management and certainly better for those that maintain the park that we all want to enjoy.”
New York City Parks officials remind pet owners that they are required to clean up after their dogs. Enforcement officers patrol shared spaces to help maintain cleanliness.
