The City recently surveyed the public as part of the Long Beach Listens initiative to measure interest in a potential pilot dog park on the beach. Our survey received nearly 750 responses from Long Beach residents, and the results clearly indicated strong feelings on both sides of the issue. The survey demonstrated sufficient support for the pilot, and several City departments were tasked with exploring the matter. The departments involved in determining the feasibility of this pilot included: Department of Public Works Police Department Animal Control Parks and Recreation Corporation Counsel As part of the process, we reached out to several regulatory agencies including: Nassau County Department of Health NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Army Corp of Engineers It was the universal recommendation from all City departments to not pursue a pilot dog park on the beach at this time. The major reasons we will not be pursuing this pilot are highlighted below: HEALTH & SAFETY The Nassau County Department of Health, which issues the permit for Beach Park to operate, cited research that has shown animal feces can contribute much greater amounts of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci), increasing the possibility of illness to beachgoers – this could put the City’s beach operating permit in jeopardy. RESIDENTIAL NATURE There was a critical realization that dog beaches are required to be kept separate from bathing beaches, presenting an absolutely enormous challenge as the beach would be exclusively a dog beach 12 months a year. Determining which beach or beaches would be dog-friendly would be virtually impossible as virtually all residents have specific locations they are used to frequenting. Deciding which specific beach would be exclusive to dogs and their owners would be a no-win situation, pitting residents against each other. While there are some private beaches on Long Island that allow for dogs, as a residential community, this type of program does not appear to be conducive to Long Beach. CLEANLINESS As you may recall, our beach was recently recognized by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) as the second cleanest in the entire United States. Any change in sand cleanliness would dramatically impact the City’s ability to operate a beach at our current level. We have learned that even with strict enforcement, a pilot of this nature would significantly lower the quality of our beach. While this pilot program will not be occurring, as a dog-friendly City, we are continuing to improve our infrastructure for dog owners with an expanded and enhanced Dog Run at the Recreation Campus, providing more space for dogs and their owners. This dedicated space will be sizable enough to have two larger areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. If you have not done so already, please register your dog with the City Clerk’s office today, at (516) 431-1002.