Wrong on resolution
To the Editor:
I would like to respond to the article in your last issue, “C.B. 1 says park solution is a doggone shame” (December 1-7, 2010 issue).
The headline mischaracterizes the resolution passed by the full board. In fact, the board modified its original resolution to take into account the Parks Department’s position that off-leash dogs are not allowed on the lawn in Battery Park. The board simply called upon Parks to consider establishing a trial period of off-leash activities in a designated area of the park, without specifying that this area should be the lawn.
In response to the request from the Downtown Dog Owners Association, we have offered to change our policy and create a temporary dog run where dogs can get exercise from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily. Since it is neither appropriate nor even feasible to allow dogs on the central lawn, we proposed that a path be utilized instead.
We would set up the dog run each day, and we hope that the D.D.O.A. would agree to help maintain it, as dog owner groups do in other parks.
This offer is consistent with the letter and the spirit of the resolution passed by Community Board 1, contrary to the tone of your headline and story.
We are trying to meet the needs of the dog owners as well as the general public that uses and enjoys the park. We hope that the D.D.O.A. will accept our proposal and give this dog run a chance to work during the trial period that it suggested.
William Castro
Manhattan Borough Commissioner
City of New York Parks & Recreation
