The First Annual Tompkins Square Park Dog Prom last Wednesday saw local canines turn out in their finery, as well as actress Parker Posey and a slew of candidates running for office in the Sept. 12 primary elections. Apparently, the pols didn’t feel they were barking up the wrong tree at the event, but rather considered it a good way to contact voters. Clockwise from top: Posey and friends; a promgoer in a slinky gown; Assembly candidate Esther Yang meets and greets a voter and pet; Ken Diamondstone, running for State Senate, uses a squeaky toy to impress some of the district’s nonvoting constituents. Assemblymember Sylvia Friedman also doggedly pursued votes. The prom helped raise money for a new state-of-the-art dog run. The Parks Department has committed $100,000 toward the $150,000 cost of the renovations and is asking the community to raise the balance by year’s end. The new design, by Parks architect Bradley Romaker, will feature a unique, organic running surface made of Zeolite that will be paw friendly and help deodorize the run for years. The makeover will also include a new drainage system to promote irrigation to the surrounding elm trees and improved separate small and large dog entrances as well as better seating and lighting and wheelchair access to the run.
thevillager.com
