Over the past year, the Mosholu Parkway community has grown as more and more people are adding dogs to their family units. Many members of the 204th Street/ Bainbridge Avenue Merchants Association have been approached by members of the community to discuss the condition of the dog run in Williamsbridge Oval Park. This past year, I became a dog owner, and am a member of the Merchants Association, which is why many members of the community decided to approach me personally.

I cannot begin to tell you how badly the dog run in the park needs to be renovated. The fence is practically falling over. Large dogs are able to jump the fence in certain places and go after park goers. Holes in the bottom of the fence and gate allow small dogs to get out. The whole dog run is covered with wooden shavings making it hard for owners to pick up their dog’s mess. The bag dispenser that is nearby is always empty. Trashcans are well away from the run. There is no dog fountain nearby causing many dogs to use the regular fountain. When it rains, the section of the park where the dog run is located floods, causing a big, muddy, waste-infected mess. This cannot be sanitary for kids or dogs to play in. My dog is a member of my family, and just as you would not allow members of your family to play in such unsanitary and unsafe conditions, I will not allow mine to play in it.

In addition, the community is concerned about the security of the park due to light outages. A recent survey of the park by Friends of the Oval found that 26 lights were not working. As I am sure anyone would agree, a few lights being out would be expected in any park from time to time; however 26 lights proves pure neglect.

I hope by bringing these issues to the forefront, it will enable the Parks Department to “do the right thing.”

William T. Curran