Little Bay Park

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, September 13, 2005

LITTLE BAY PARK DOG RUN A BOON FOR QUEENS RESIDENTS, BIG AND SMALL

While some letters that arrive in Commissioner Benepe’s office are more notable than others, the following correspondence—from a particularly happy Whitestone resident—is in a category by itself:

August 29, 2005

Commissioner Adrian Benepe
The Arsenal
Central Park
830 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10021

Dear Commissioner Benepe:

I am an 11-month old Pug, named Hercules. I am writing to thank you for the new dog run at Little Bay Park in Bayside, Queens. My father happened to see it on our trip there on Friday (8/26) during our leisurely stroll in the park.

Boy, it was neat. It was the first time in my young life that I was able to be outdoors without a leash. I ran all over the place. It was like being in doggie heaven. I was able to chase other dogs like this big Boxer, named Max. I was also able to exhibit my speed and agility. Boy, was I tired at the end of the day. I slept after dinner and did not wake up until the next morning.

I could also tell that my father, Luis Sanchez, also enjoyed the experience. He had wanted to walk me without a leash, but he does not trust me on the loose. He is afraid that I might run onto the street where it is dangerous. He says that he will be taking me every Saturday and at least two times during the week.

I hope that this dog run becomes permanent. Where I live, there is no backyard for me to romp. Plus, the dog run is a great place to meet and sniff other dogs.

If you have any questions, please call my pop, Luis Sanchez. Thanks again for the chance to show off my skills in public without restraints.

Very truly yours,

Hercules Sanchez

--

Parks & Recreation’s Northeast Queens Administrator Janice Melnick explains that the dog run was installed last month on a six-month trial basis. She has worked closely with the community and Council Member Tony Avella to respond to the requests of local dog owners, who banded together to form The Freedom Run Association.

"It’s going very well—people seem to love it," said Melnick.

She also noted that Council Member Avella has promised funding for the dog run’s future, meaning that the run will likely become permanent for Hercules and all his friends in Bayside and Whitestone.

"Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of the man. The biography of the man himself cannot be written."

Mark Twain
(1835-1910)