In an effort to combat against potentially overcrowded spaces, the Parks Department yesterday shut down dog runs citywide, including in Tompkins Square Park.
The dog runs will be closed until further notice. Per the Parks Department: "Our parks remain open to dogs and pet owners to get fresh air and exercise; however, dogs must be kept on a leash according to park rules, and dog owners must keep social distance."
EVG contributor Stacie Joy took these photos at 1 p.m., a few hours after the order was put into effect...
The closure of the dog runs comes on the heels last week of playgrounds shutting down.
Because apparently everyone is special and cannot adhere to basic rules. The longer we don't social distance the longer we stay inside.
ReplyDeleteBut it's perfectly OKAY to congregate in close proximity and workout on the bars over by the handball courts. Packed every day.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised this didn't happen weeks ago. All parks should be closed as well. It will give less people ammunition to go out and be stupid and selfish with more infections rising. What is wrong with people? Many are making enormous sacrifices on the frontlines to keep us safe. Why is it so impossible to stay at home for an indefinite period of time and bear with it?
ReplyDeleteI don't know about this one. I'm a regular at both TSQ and WSQ dog parks. Neither have been particularly crowded since the lockdown and people have generally been really good about keeping distance from each other. Our dogs need a place to run.
ReplyDelete@1:31pm: Too many people have no ability to deny themselves instant gratification. And you get the (young) jerks who are going to do the opposite of whatever they're asked b/c they're stuck permanently in that phase called "arrested development". They think their defiance is cool, but they're just morons.
ReplyDeleteBUT if this virus would strike people with spray cans of paint dead the minute they walked out of their building, THEN we'd be getting somewhere on the "stay inside" issue.
The small dog run was more crowded and people in there congregate together more than in the big dog run. The point is that you need to walk your dog and go home, but a dog run gives people and excuse to hang out and socialize. It looks more and more likely they will have to close down all the parks soon with the warm weather coming. That’s a shame, especially since we will soon lose East River Park for four years unless (hopefully) that construction money is gone, which would be the one good thing to come out of this disaster.
ReplyDelete"The dogs can spread the virus through transfer."
ReplyDeleteDo you have facts to confirm this or are you just spreading false rumors?
The risk of a pet contracting the virus is extremely low. Globally, only two dogs and two cats have tested positive for the virus, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
ReplyDeleteI deleted the comment spreading fake information. Apologies for overlooking that comment first time around. As you might expect, there has been an uptick in comments peddling rumors and attempting to cause panic.
Responsible people stay in, wear a mask when out for a walk and maintain social distancing. Entitled people do the opposite and those that insist their (dog) needs to run vs a few good long walks per day fall into the entitled camp.
ReplyDelete