UPDATE: THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WE WON!

THERE WILL BE NO DOG PARK OR DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOREST! Because of your support, our voices were heard! 

I am organizing a petition against a proposed Dog Park in W.S. Commerdingers Park (off of Browns Rd) 

 

The proposal, that has been discussed in detail at a meeting on 5/29 with the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board Meeting, proposes a dog park at roughly 5-10 acres, or roughly 4-7.5 football fields worth of forest cleared!!!

 

It is proposed to be located at Edgewood Ave and Browns Road. (0.9 mile from the Gibbs Pond Dog park). This area has completely forested for over a hundred years. We are not against the idea of dog parks. we just ask not at the cost of clearing forest, as we have very little left on Long Island. We have lived next to the park for over 60 years and have never dealt with bad off leash dogs or attacks on wildlife. We had no idea something like this could even be legally possible in a county park, but if so, we are going to fight back. 

 

Just to be clear, We are asking for the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board and Suffolk County Parks Department to PLEASE reconsider the location and prioritize preserving natural spaces and forest, and utilize other alternative open space options in the area. Please sign and Share 

 

Wildlife that would be harmed and currently inhabit the proposed area:

Eastern Box Turtles (threatened)

Northern Long Eared Bats (endangered) 

Common Nighthawk (special concern)

Resident Songbirds

Resident Great Horned Owl Pair 

Migratory Songbirds

Deer, Turkeys, Foxes, other residents

 

 

 

Potential impacts from forest loss at Browns Road and Edgewood:

Increased flooding in Browns road

Increased pollution run-off

Decline in property value 

Increase in properly taxes 

Increased AC and Electricity costs of nearby houses

Increased Urban Heat Island Effect