Shore Park and Parkway

How did this site become a dog run?
While Shore Road Park has several lawns that have been historically used for off-leash dog walking, the closest formal dog run was well over a mile away. Located within view of the Verrazano Bridge, this parcel was fenced and inaccessible and has not had public use for decades.

Prompted by community advocacy and a funding allocation from the local council member, the park’s first dog run opened in 2023. The space includes separate areas for all dogs and small dogs, with benches for their human companions. The dog run’s unique design includes both synthetic turf and natural grass, as well as new water service to the site to allow for the dog-friendly water fountains.

Who is this dog run named for?
This dog run is named for Frank Decolvenaere. The son of Belgian immigrants, he was born on June 24, 1953 in New York City. After growing up in Riverdale and the Upper East Side, Frank left the city to attend Swarthmore College. Once he received his undergraduate degree, he returned to the city to pursue his Juris Doctorate at New York Law School and graduated with distinction. He continued to contribute to the school’s community and supported the New York Law School’s Moot Court team for years.

Frank practiced law in New York City for the next four decades, with a storied career in copyright litigation. He represented several high-profile clients including Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Wilson Sports, and Mattel in their famous “Barbie Girl” lawsuit against Aqua.

For over twenty years Frank called Bay Ridge home, where he and his wife raised their two children. In 2020, he was walking with his dog when he was struck and killed by a speeding driver. His dog, Stormy, was also injured but managed to make it the ten blocks home to alert the family. The naming was widely endorsed by the Bay Ridge community.