I take my dog to the large dog run during the week if I'm unable to walk him down the dog run on E. 63rd street (along the E. River on the promenade). If I were living closer to 63rd street (I'm located in the upper 80s), chances are I'd never visit this park. \r
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For starters, the footing consists of stones. While I understand the intent of it slowing down very fast dogs and the superficial appeal, it's nothing but a nuisance. Some dogs hate walking on the stones, others get small ones stuck in their paws, and, if your near a dog that likes to ""scratch"" (kick up its back legs after eliminating), you could (and I have seen this happen to another owner) get a face full of rocks. \r
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The park is built on a slope so all of the stones have moved downhill. The fencing on the far side of the run is ludicrously low already, but with the stones piling up, it's not uncommon to see dogs hop right out of the run (and the park itself is right off of East End Avenue, a 2 way, 4 lane wide street). I'd say it's maybe 3 feet high on that side. So, unless your dog has a stellar recall and you don't mind hopping over the fence like a ninja, this can be a major drawback. \r
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Smaller dogs (those under 20 lbs) that come into the run have often moved away the stones near the holding gate and escaped. \r
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There is no drainage system in this run, so it's muddy for days after a rain or snowfall. Between the poor lighting situation and odd terrain, some owners find it hard to locate their dog's stool (of course, there's always the lazy owner that just decides to leave it). More than a couple of dogs caught Giardia in the park last winter (after which, I steered clear for quite a while). \r
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The run is only hosed down once a week (and, although signs say it's every WEDNESDAY, cleaners only come on THURSDAYS). Without a drainage system, it's practically useless as the residual urine and feces just combine and pool and several areas of the run. \r
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All of this is without mentioning the amount of irresponsible dog owners that frequent the park. I know there will always be bad owners, but too often people bring in their hyperactive, under-exercised, under-socialized, intact (not spayed/neutered) dogs into the run. Talk about a fight waiting to happen. There is a surplus of owners that just plop down on a far off bench and read a book, not bothering to keep an eye on their dog at all. \r
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For the past 3 years, the dog run association has been going on and on about how they were going to renovate the run. They were even taking donations (which I gave with the intent of it benefiting park maintenance when I now see it probably bought someone a Corona later that night). Well, finally (about 3 weeks ago), they closed the small dog run and started digging. \r
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It was said to only take about 2 weeks. Well, the contractors were so inept that the hit pipe lines under the run. Now the only water fountain near the dog runs is fenced off and you'll have to walk at least 3-4 blocks either way to fill up a water bottle.\r
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The temporary run used for the little dogs is located less than half a block off East End Avenue and is supposed to be the temporary run for the large dogs once the small dog run is reopened (which will happen in, what I assume, will be 3 years since I've only seen people actively working on it twice). \r
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Not only can you bend the ""fencing"" (which is more like chicken wire than fencing) in the temporary run, but it doesn't actually go into the ground. So a dog could easily burrow underneath. Now imagine an overexcited Lab seeing a pigeon or squirrel right on the other side. Goodbye crappy fencing and hello 20+ loose dogs.
Pros: Differently Sized Runs
Cons: Inadequate Fencing, Poor Maintenence, Dog Owners
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