Please join us in petitioning Community Board 2 and the NYC Park department to approve a smart and true need for the neighborhood. Converting an unused basketball court to an over needed dog park. 

The Ask

Currently the MTA and DEP work being done at the intersection of Sixth Avenue, Canal Street and Thompson Street necessitated the demolition of a dilapidated basketball court that had been there for decades (aka Grand Canal Court). It is our understanding that the space is designated park land, in part because it being an un-buildable area due to the infrastructure below. It is also understood that the park space is to be reinstated once the work is done. 

Hence as residents, we see an opportune time to assess what would be the best use for this space. What is most needed, what is lacking, what will help support our community most? Our answer (our ask) is to address the severe and almost absolute lack of space for pet owners in CB2 (aside from expensive, private parks). In reality, out of necessity, that former court was respectfully used by many local pet owners already. Installing a viable, community dog park will serve residents and frankly make productive use of what was going to waste. It’s just smart community planning, that makes sense and addresses a true need.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Case for Conversion

Community Health and Safety

Without a dedicated space, dog owners walk pets on streets and some let them off-leash in places they shouldn’t — creating safety risks for both dogs and people. A fenced dog park solves this problem by giving dogs a safe, contained area to run, which also means fewer off-leash dogs in the neighborhood overall. 

The Numbers Are Real. The Need Is Real.

Nearly half of American households own a dog. There are over 42,000 LICENSED dogs in Manhattan (NYC.gov actually estimates 60K+, only 1 in 5 dogs are actually licensed). That’s a massive share of your neighbors who currently have nowhere to let their pets exercise safely. 

Fill a Real Gap in Community Services

The neighborhood currently has plenty of basketball courts — residents have numerous options. As illustrated on the map, dog owners have no nearby public option (private parks not an option for most residents - $1,000+ a year). A dog park would be the only facility of its kind, meeting a clear, unmet need rather than duplicating what already exists. 

Underused Space Deserves a Better Purpose

This court is and has been genuinely unused and unmaintained for years, hence it’s already not serving the community. Converting it doesn’t take anything away — it transforms an underused asset into an active, valued amenity. A thriving dog park will see far more foot traffic and serve hundreds of households daily than a neglected court. 

Social and Economic Benefits

Dog parks are proven neighborhood connectors. They create daily social interaction between residents, build community trust, and have even been shown to increase safety and even nearby property values. An unused slab of asphalt does none of that.

Low-Cost Conversion & Potential Sponsorships

The infrastructure was already there. Converting this area into a dog park largely requires re-installing the flat, paved surface, lighting, fencing, benches and water access. Adding new landscaping and astroturf would be a nice to have - BUT we’d like to challenge local pet businesses to help sponsor and cover some of those costs. It’s one of the more cost-effective park improvements the Parks Dept can make.

Why Not?

If there is concern about the lose of a basketball court, the honest response is: as seen on the map, there already exists plenty of courts nearby. Secondly the court that was demo-ed was rarely being used as intended, nor was it maintained. Few active or local users are being displaced.

Better Yet, Why?

With no options in the neighborhood - residents need it. A viable, community dog park will serve the most people, fill the biggest gap, and make use of what was going to waste. A proper dog park at this location will certainly curb the need for people utilizing the courts at Vesuvio, Walker, Passanate and other nearby parks for their pets. Re-purposing an under performing city asset is good community planning, it makes sense and addresses a true need.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 

Please join us in making this happen!