Plans Move Ahead for Refurbishing Dog Runs
The dog run on North End Avenue between Chambers and Warren Streets will be upgraded next year to include features such as extra seating, improved gate access, and “canine turf” (artificial grass specially designed for dog runs, with a moisture-permeable backing that allows for drainage of pet waste).
“We’re keeping the tree-lined identity of the site as well as the curves that define where the fence is located” between the separate enclosures for large and small dogs, says Janie Ngo, Battery Park City Authority project manager.
The new design, from Brooklyn-based landscape architect Grain Collective, provides three types of seating: platform seating along the perimeter, bench tops, and picnic seats with tabletops. The water feature will be reconfigured so it “doesn’t rely on electricity to operate,” Ms. Ngo adds. “We’re also enhancing the topography, with two circular mounds, which won’t exceed two feet high, along with boulders to create more agility for the dog play.”
The final design is expected to be put out for competitive bidding before the end of this year, with a projected start of construction in 2026. The budget and date of completion for the project has not yet been announced. In a separate project, the BPCA is also planning a redesign of the Sirius dog run on Kowsky Plaza, alongside Gateway Plaza. This initiative is now in the preliminary design phase.
In related news, the real estate database firm StreetEasy has named Battery Park City as one of the ten best New York City neighborhoods in which to own a dog, citing it as the community with the most walkable dog runs (three within the neighborhood, more in adjacent communities), an estimated 92.2 percent of rental apartments having pet-friendly policies, and the fact that “Le Pet Spa is a standout groomer and boutique pet store that has been serving dog owners since 1991.”