This petition was started by volunteers who take care of NYC Dog Parks. We work with elected officials, the NYC Parks Department and the communities we serve to clean and beautify the parks, raise funds, hold family-friendly events, educate the community on the importance of dog parks, pet adoption, pet wellness and responsible pet ownership and act as a liaison between dog owners and government officials and NYC Parks.

We were told that NYC has a new vison for their parks called "Parks Without Borders" to create a more open appearance with more aesthetic sightlines. They also claim it's safer since you will be able to see over the fence which is fine for a playground but not a dog park. For this measure they have decided to make all dog park fencing no higher than 4 feet even though a simple Google search will tell you that 5-7 feet is the recommended minimum to stop dogs from jumping over fences which can lead to them getting injured or killed or even hurt other park goers. Will they lower fences around basketball courts, tennis courts and what about those dog parks that for some reason do have higher fences?

We (Forest Park Barking Lot in Kew Gardens, NY and Underbridge Dog Run in Forest Hills, NY) pleaded with our Park Commissioner and staff that 4 feet was not high enough and although they understood our concerns they said it wouldn't change. Why? If you go to dog parks throughout the country you will see that fencing is much higher. Usually around 6-8 feet. If you want the Parks to be more aesthetically pleasing we suggest an anti-littering campaign with "Pick-Up the Poop" as a slogan. Plus, most of these city parks like Forest Park/Prospect Park/Central Park don't have fences around the entire park just around playgrounds, dog parks, basketball, tennis and other physical fitness courts. We have also seen across social media that the majority of NYC Dog Park leaders are not happy with the 4 foot minimum and will join this cause.

This petition is to get our city and parks to understand that 4ft fences are NOT safe in dog runs.

• For dog parks with a "large dog side" and a "small dog side" the large dog could easily jump the fence to get into the small side.
• For dog parks next to the highway (like Barking Lot and Underbridge) dogs could easily jump the fence and get hit by a car!
• 4ft fences could allow strangers to walk by, easily pick up a dog and walk away with it!
• People and kids who walk by dog parks often stop to "pet" the dogs in the dog park. DOG PARKS ARE NOT PETTING ZOOS. Most dogs at the dog park may be fine with other dogs and dog owners but may not like to be pet by strangers!
• Having higher fences make both dog owners and park goers feel safer, as these higher fences keep our dogs safely inside the park.

Join us and sign this petition to get our park fencings raised to AT LEAST 6ft and keep our dogs and parkgoers safe! Aesthetics mean nothing if our parks are not safe!