Originally posted July 16, 2008

Dog Park 2.0 is almost here! The end of the month is approaching and work is progressing on schedule, so it looks like we should be ready for a beta opening on Friday the 25th. I'm sure there'll be a few more details to touch up once we get the dogs back in the run -- such as fitting new plumbing fixtures and getting the pools installed. But it's almost done. Once we're all settled, we'll have a big grand opening party this September.

Faces of the renovation: Bradley Romaker, architect of Tompkins Square dog run

Bradley with New York City Parks Dept. Resident Engineers Rick and Bill.

Harry Greenberg, Manager (and heart & soul) of Tompkins Square Park

Michael Lyte, Landscaper and keeper of all things green. We'll be installing new gardens around the dog park in the fall with a generous donation from the friends and family of Lindsay Ashe (Cody.)

Lifting the roll of landscaping fabric. Two layers have been installed -- one beneath the drainage rock, and another between the rock and running surface

Close up of the materials that create the running field for the Tompkins Square dog run. The gray rock goes below grade for drainage, the brown mix in the background forms the smooth, paw-friendly running surface

Originally posted July 7, 2008

We're just a few weeks away from completion. Here's the latest update from Parks and Recreation. More updates can be found in the files section of theFirst Run newsgroup.

Again, thanks for your patience. There was a lot of activity going on behind the scenes even when it looked like work wasn't taking place at the construction site. The delays have involved finding the right materials to create the smooth, dust-free, paw-friendly surface that will be installed next week. The suppliers recently located a nicer material called "Plymouth Brown Mix" and Parks rushed to test and acquire this.

They've also taken extra time with this job to develop a set of standards and best practices for future dog run constructions. Yes, its caused some delay but with new standards in place it will provide for better upkeep and repairs down the line. And frankly, we've probably got the only Parks Dept in the country that cares about building better dog parks. One of the reasons that makes New York City Deptartment of Parks & Recreation the very best.

July 7, 2008
From: New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

All of the necessary paper work has been completed for the ordering of the Plymouth Brownstone Screenings. Delivery of the material is set to begin at the latest next Monday. Ten loads, one per day, will be stockpiled north of the run. After the first half of the material is delivered, the contractor will lay the last layer of geotextile fabric over the bottom layer of broken stone and begin to spread the screenings. That should take a total of two weeks.
When that work is completed on the projected date of July 28, the benches and picnic tables will be placed. Barring any unusual rain delays, the run should be open by July 30., 2008

Benches are lined up on the new deck awaiting repairs and a fresh coat of paint. The deck was created to protect the roots of the ancient elm. The surface will be built up to meet the top of the deck so there will be no problem for the small dogs re… — Benches are lined up on the new deck awaiting repairs and a fresh coat of paint. The deck was created to protect the roots of the ancient elm. The surface will be built up to meet the top of the deck so there will be no problem for the small dogs reaching it.\

The pile of 1 1/4" clean rock that will form the drainage bed beneath the run. The rock is set below ground level between two layers of landscaping fabric to give water a place to drain after heavy rains and keep the surface a dry, healthy place.

The packer will press the stones before a smooth, paw-friendly running surface called "Plymouth Brown Mix" is poured on top.

The final delivery of stones should begin next week. Opening is scheduled for the end of the month.

The "Plymouth Brown Mix" arrives which will compose the top 6-8" of the running surface. Its smooth, paw-friendly, and best of all drains without creating mudd. The stone is supplied by George Schofield Company and is the approved substitution for d… — The "Plymouth Brown Mix" arrives which will compose the top 6-8" of the running surface. Its smooth, paw-friendly, and best of all drains without creating mudd. The stone is supplied by George Schofield Company and is the approved substitution for decomposed granite. The material is graded at 3/16" minus and washed to remove dust.