Originally posted Wednesday, June 27, 2006

New York City Parks and Recreation announced today that the FIRST RUN dog park in Tompkins Square Park will recieve a $150,000 renovation. This will be the largest renovation a New York city dog park has seen and will showcase FIRST RUN as a state-of-the-art model for dog park design across the country.

The project was initiated through a unique partnership between the community and N.Y. Parks Dept. who worked together to research the latest trends and developments in the evolving science of dog park design. The approved designs where presented by Parks Dept. architect, Bradley Romaker along with the challenge for the community to raise $50,000 for the project. Ground breaking is set to begin in early 2007 and should take 6-8 weeks to complete.

The run will include a novel, state-of-the-art, organic running surface that is hospitable to dogs paws and easy on their hips. This will lie on top of 9-18 inches of underground drainage to keep the park dry and facilitate irrigation to the park's elm trees. Friends of First Run says the new surface composed of zeolite is so holistic and ogranic that it is also used as a food supplement. It is a natural antioxidant that will deordorize the run for years and provide smooth footing for the dogs paws -- a much better alternative to gravel and pebbles seen in other dog runs.

Additional features in the park will include separate entrances for a small and large dog area. Running water and dog baths. Improved lighting and seating. Restoration of the surrounding fences and gardens. A flowering tulip tree in the center of the run as well as wheel chair access.

Here's your chance to make a real contribution to FIRST RUN and be involved in one the most exciting community renewal projects our neighborhood has seen.

The main gate to the dog run before the renovation

Puddles and muddy conditions in the run before the renovation