No bones about it: Mercer run is looking magnificent

The Mercer St. Dog Run, at the northwest corner of Mercer and Houston Sts., reopened on July 15 after repairs funded by New York University. The run abuts N.Y.U.’s Coles Sports Center and was constructed when the gym was built in the 1980s. About 200 dog owners, mostly from Soho and Noho, are signed up as users of the run. Over time, however, it had fallen into significant disrepair. The strip of property was once home to tenement buildings that were razed decades ago, and the subsurface was never properly filled in, so the dog run had sunken in spots. N.Y.U.’s four-week repair effort brought the entire asphalt surface to an even grade, created a slope for water drainage, replaced the fence and installed new benches. Beth Gottlieb, president of the Mercer/Houston Dog Run Association, said, “One word: Wow! The renovated run is just wonderful. What a pleasure to walk on the flat expanse of asphalt, and no more worries about tripping. We’re grateful to N.Y.U.” Gottlieb and her dog Romeo are longtime users of the run. The reopening included “doggie bags” and raffle items from two local businesses, Towne House Grooming and The Pet Bar.