The Lower East Side Needs More Space for Our Dogs—Let’s Make It Happen! (Please note, WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR DONATIONS--that's automated by the site and can't be disabled! We just want your signature and for you to please share the petition!!)

The Lower East Side and Chinatown are home to an estimated 9,000  dogs, yet we have only two small, overcrowded dog runs to serve the entire community. They are far too few and tiny to meet the needs of the neighborhood. 

Nearly half of registered dogs in the area are medium to large breeds, and they need space to run, play, and exercise safely. Right now, that’s nearly impossible in our small spaces. And the very limited off-leash hours in parks can pose risks—dogs can startle people, especially those afraid of larger breeds.

With the Lower East Side Resiliency Project underway, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix this problem. Yet the current plans don’t include a single dedicated space for dogs. Others have petitioned for a dog park with no response from our local leaders or park representatives. We believe there is still time to address this concern by incorporating a dog-friendly space into the remaining undeveloped sections of the park or by adding fencing around one of the grassy areas in the completed sections. 

We urge the city to incorporate a dedicated, fenced-in dog park into the Resiliency Project that includes:

• A safe, off-leash space where dogs can run freely all day without disturbing other parkgoers.
• A natural surface—grass or mulch, not concrete, to keep dogs comfortable and prevent injuries.
• Adequate fencing to ensure safety for both dogs and people.
• A size that actually meets demand—especially for the many medium and large breeds in the area who need space to run.
• A healthier, happier environment for both dogs and their owners.
• A stronger, more connected community.

There are several spaces on the plan that could easily be designated a dog park without impeding on space for people. The Resiliency Project is meant to enhance and protect our neighborhood for the future—let’s make sure that future includes space for our dogs, too.

For a deeper dive into the statistics noted here, please visit A Justification for Safe Spaces for Dogs to Play in the Lower East Side

Please sign and share this petition to demand a dog park in the LES Resiliency Project!

Please note, WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR DONATIONS! Just your signature and for you to please share the petition!! (The donation link is automated by change.org and can't be disabled.)