Harvey Epstein seeks feedback on the future of the large dog run in Tompkins Square Park

Assembly Member Harvey Epstein has allocated capital funding to the Parks Department to improve the large dog run at Tompkins Square Park. 

Dog run users are invited to share feedback as plans take shape by filling out a brief survey by Friday to weigh in. 

One key question: What surface would you prefer for the large dog run?

Find the survey here.

Monday's parting shots

Workers today provided some long-needed tree care at the Tompkins Square Park dog runs... trimming back the cascading American Elms ...

Thnaks to Deb O'Nair for the photos!

$400,000 revamp planned for the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Tompkins Square Park dog run has received a $400,000 investment thanks to the New York State Assembly. 

The Assembly-directed funding will go to upgrade and resurface the large dog run.

On Tuesday, Manhattan Borough Commissioner for Parks Tricia Shimamura, Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade organizer Joseph Borduin, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, and the city's first honorary Dog Mayor Sally Long Dog, were in the park to make the announcement...

"As a dog lover, I believe that improving spaces for our beloved pets is essential," Epstein said in prepared comments. "I have taken my rescue dog, Homer, here since he was a puppy. Investing in our community and the spaces that make living here special is crucial." 

Said Shimamura: "This funding will enable our agency to continue transforming and enhancing Tompkins Square Park, providing East Village residents — both humans and dogs — with a state-of-the-art dog run."

No word just yet when the upgrades might commence.

Parkgoer escapes injury after a branch falls in the Tompkins Square Park dog run

Photos by Steven 

Parkgoers are buzzing about a tree limb that fell early last evening in the Tompkins Square Park dog run.

According to several witnesses, the branch struck and knocked over a young woman believed to be in her teens who was inside the dog run. 

Bystanders rushed to her aid and were relieved to see she was OK. (One witness said that she was screaming, though apparently about the bugs she encountered in the fall.)

This morning, a concerned parkgoer told us: "I have been asking [the Parks Department] for years to prune the trees in the dog run. Look at the rest of the trees in the park, then look at the trees in the run, which hundreds of people sit under every day. This happened last night ... with no wind or storms."

Noted

Photos by Steven 

A moment by the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run today...

Noted

A now-viral video from the Tompkins Square Park dog run yesterday... when a rat decides to dart across the space amid several dogs ...

Live from New York City pic.twitter.com/ziN3NZrWhR

— dinny (@dinfowars) May 24, 2022

Remembering Penny Rand

Friends of Penny Rand gathered early last evening at the Tompkins Square Park dog run to celebrate the life of the longtime East Village resident.

Rand passed away suddenly on May 12. She was 71. 

Rand was a regular in the dog run with Leeluu, who's now staying with a relative.

Photo by Stacie Joy

Meanwhile, in the dog run...

From yesterday: Why not come dancing? ...

Thanks to Barb Feinberg for the photo...

Sunday's parting shot

A cat hunting rats in the Tompkins Square Park dog run... thanks to Sonya for the photo...

The Tompkins Square Park dog run is now closed

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.

Thursday's parting shot

Tenacious defense! Photo at the Tompkins Square Park dog run today by Derek Berg...

Reader mailbag: Is this a new dog run in Tompkins Square Park?

[Reader-submitted photo of the West Lawn]

From the EVG inbox...

I was playing with my toddler in the unlocked area in Tompkins Square Park — north of the chess tables and south of the St. Mark's Place entrance. I’ve noticed the New Amsterdam School playing there so I assumed it was a space where children are allowed. A couple of people came in and let their very large dogs off leash. One woman informed me that this area was now an official dog area, though there is no sign posted. She said that for over a year this is the only area (besides the official dog run) where you won’t get a ticket for letting your dog off-leash.

I was wondering if you knew if this area is an official dog area, or just an area that dog owners are claiming for themselves.

The reader asked to put this question out to readers. (One vote for B — dog owners are claiming it for themselves.)

This came up several times last year... when Park regulars complained about more and more people letting their (large) dogs run loose in sections of Tompkins Square Park — especially in that West Lawn the reader above described ...



One owner of a large dog said at the time last year that he didn't like to use the official dog run because it gets too crowded.

Park officials eventually padlocked the West Lawn... for awhile.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Makeshift dog run in Tompkins Square Park has been padlocked

Beach day at the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run

The large dog run in Tompkins Square Park was briefly closed yesterday, as workers brought in new sand, as these photos via Steven show...





The dog run was open later ... and there were new hills to explore...




[Photo by Bobby Williams]


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Workers are expected to smooth out the mounds of sand today, which may prompt a brief closure...

Saturday's parting shot

It was quite pleasant out today, though it was still sweater weather for some ... photo from the Tompkins Square Dog Run this afternoon via Bobby Williams.

Renovated small dog run reopens in Tompkins Square Park

After nearly two weeks, the repairs have wrapped up in the small dog run in Tompkins Square Park...



As EVG correspondent Steven notes, the small dog run returned to action this afternoon.

The renovations include improved drainage and the addition of an artificial grass designed specifically for dogs.

Here's Cashew checking out the turf...

In the ruff: Repairs continue at the small dog run in Tompkins Square Park

Several EVG readers have shared photos from this past week showing repair work underway in the small dog run in Tompkins Square Park.

Work started last Thursday...


[Photo from Saturday]

... and is expected to be complete for a reopening on Thursday...[Updated: Saturday is the new reopening date]


[Photo from today]

One regular noted that the renovated space will include artificial grass designed specifically for dogs. More details on this later.

All photos here by Steven. And H/T Derek Berg for first reporting on the coming changes!

Tuesday's parting shot

In the Tompkins Square Park dog run today ... photo by Derek Berg

Sunday's parting shot

Photo at the Tompkins Square Park dog run by Derek Berg...

Today in dog run stalemates

Photo in Tompkins Square Park this morning by Peter Brownscombe...

Midday snow photo break

[Click to go big]

Photo in Tompkins Square Park today by Allen Semanco...