Central Park

At the ceremony, Parks celebrated another faithful species: dog owners. No fair-weather friends to Parks, dog owners are present under all conditions of weather, traffic, and temperament. They log long hours to merit the esteemed role of Dog’s Best Friend and, by extension, one of Parks’ most valued customers.

The Fort Tryon Dog Owners Group will take responsibility for Sir William’s Dog Run, helping to keep the field clean and safe. Parks has repaved the paths leading to the run and the Department of Transportation is repairing the park lights. The New Leaf Cafe and Sandra Garrat of Annie’s Biscuits donated animal-appropriate refreshments for the festivities.

The event was attended by Stanley (Falcon) Michels, Council Member; Robert Jackson, Council Member-elect; Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern; Adrian (A-Train) Benepe, Manhattan Borough Commissioner; Persio Logos, President of the Fort Tryon Dog Owners Group; David Kirby, a member of the Fort Tryon Dog Owners Group; Liam (Borokeete) Kavanagh, Manhattan Chief of Operations; Jane (Heather) Schachat, Director of North Manhattan Parks; and other supporters of the project.

Read a press release about the dog run ribbon-cutting ceremony.

STRAIGHT TO THE HORSE’S MOUTH:

Last year, Parks and the Central Park Conservancy dedicated Central Park’s first-ever doggie drinking fountain. On Monday, November 26, they revived an animal amenity once common to Central Park and others: the trough. Commissioner Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern; Regina (Bethesda) Peruggi, President of the Central Park Conservancy; Doug (Brigadier) Blonsky, Central Park Administrator; and Dr. Larry (The Hawk) Hawkins, President and CEO of the ASPCA dedicated the Grand Army Horse Trough, Central Park’s second equine watering hole, to the horses of New York City. The trough was originally placed in Manhattan’s Stuyvesant Square in 1912 and donated to the ASPCA, which advocated for the building of horse troughs and fountains throughout the city. By 1955, the trough was no longer needed and the ASPCA brought it to their headquarters and filled it with flowers. Parks has restored the trough to its original function. In doing so, the agency expresses its appreciation of the horses that populate New York City and emphasizes the related missions of Parks and the A.S.P.C.A. Both strive to make New York City safe and habitable for animals. In turn, animals help make New York City habitable for humans.

Read the press release on the Horse Trough rededication.

(Friday, December 16, 1988)

A beautiful color photograph of Cherry Hill in a Central Park blanketed in snow is available in note-card form for the holiday season. The cards, with a photo by Central Park Conservancy Photographer Sara Cedar Miller, measure 4" x 6" and are blank on the inside. The proceeds from the sale of the cards go to the Central Park Conservancy, a non-profit group that administers Central Park in conjunction with Parks.

Gustav Flaubert defines Joy: