Yorktown Community Dog Park "Desperate" for New Members

Negotiations and planning for a dog park in Yorktown have been ongoing ever since the Yorktown Community Dog Park organization was formed almost 10 years ago. 

"And still there is no dog park to show for our efforts," Yorktown Dog Run president Laura Wuerth said. "But I believe we are getting close."

However, members said they need new people to join the organization and carry on, or the dog park in Yorktown won't happen. Wuerth said they "desperately" need new people to help move the project forward.

"There is a small group who can carry the torch forward, but they cannot do this alone," she said. "Our membership includes more than 500 supporters, so I am confident that one or two of you can step forward to help by serving on one or more of our committees to make this dream a reality. It really does not take a lot of time, especially when we share the load."

She invites anyone interested in becoming involved to attend their next meeting at  on Tuesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. That's when new board members will be elected and revised site plans will be reviewed before being presented to the town.

"If we don't get any new folks willing to help, we will have to seriously consider dismantling the organization," she said. "Thanks to all those who have participated over the years and let's hope the infusion of new blood can get us to the finish line."

Jonathan Nettelfield, a board member of the Yorktown Community Dog Park since 2006, said the town and the state have agreed on a site for the proposed off-leash dog park – French Hill Park – but issues with several of the buildings on the site have slowed down the project.

It was determined an abandoned building on the site, subject to vandalism, could be a liability to the town. In addition, it also had an asbestos problem for which the state wouldn't pay for. In 2010, to split the abatement cost of roughly $8,000 with the committee.

New members are needed to join various committees, help raise money for the park and once it's up and running, members would be in charge of forming rules, adding benches and watering stations, among others. The Yorktown Community Dog Park must raise about $40,000 for fencing around the park, Nettelfield said. 

"We were very explicit we don't want to add costs to the taxpayers and to the administration that is already burdened," he said. 

The reason why he wants to see the dog park become a reality, Nettelfield said, was because it would give dog owners who don't currently exercise their dogs, the chance to do so. Nearby dog parks are in Ossining, Mahopac and Peekskill. 

Yorktown Community Dog Park members meet every last Tuesday of the month.

For more information on the dog park, visit www.yorktowndogrun.com.

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