by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Last Thursday, August 4, 2011 dog owners in West Sayville rejoiced and celebrated at the brand new 1.5 acre dog park that opened officially complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  The ‘Cherry Avenue Dog Park’ came about due to the tireless work of Long Island Dog Owners Group (LI-Dog) to establish more parks throughout Long Island.  This dog park with was sponsored by Legislator Bill Lindsay was the third dog park created under the Five New Dog Parks initiative that LI-Dog championed and Leg. Lindsay supported the passing of the initiative in 2007.  There are now five Suffolk County Parks Department dog parks: West Hills; Bydenburgh; Robinson Farm; Mud Creek (off-leash beach) and now Cherry Avenue.

These parks, since they are Suffolk County Parks Department dog parks means anyone in Suffolk County can bring their too.  There are no town limitations like at other dog parks, but LI-Dog encourages dog owners to be responsible, clean up after their dog at the park, and to be mindful of other dog owners while your pooch is romping around in the runs.

I for one love the fact that there is a dog park at Blydenburgh – it has helped tremendously because there are less loose dogs throughout the trails of the park.  Blydenburgh has wonderful hiking trails that many local horse owners also utilize, and for years walking there with my dogs we would encounter loose dogs in the trails – the dog park has decreased the amount of loose dogs ten fold.  We hiked there with our dogs numerous times in the spring and I didn’t see one off leash dog, it is a great thing.

LI-Dog is currently helping Nassau dog owners try and get more parks in their county as well.  To find out more information or how to get involved to help go to www.lidog.org.

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