(Brooklyn, NY, June 30, 2016) – The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) unveiled a new dog run at East River State Park in Williamsburg. This newly developed section of East River State Park will welcome dogs and provide a safe off leash recreation area for both dog owners and their dogs to enjoy. The project is the result of collaboration between the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the NYC Parks and the community. Funding was provided through New York City Council’s Participatory Budgeting Program and Council Member Steve Levin, as well as through Governor Cuomo’s NY Parks 2020 Plan.  

“I am incredibly excited about the addition of this dog run to East River State Park,” said Leslie Wright, New York City Regional Director of New York State Parks. “Thanks to the strong partnership between State Parks and the City of New York, the newly created dog run will provide a much needed dog-friendly environment for families and the whole community to enjoy.” 

Construction for the project began in October 2015 with $450,000 in capital funds allocated by Council Member Levin as voted on by District 33’s first-ever participatory budgeting vote. With his strong support, the dog run was among five publically-chosen projects to receive funding. Funds for the dog run’s design, construction project management and furnishings were allocated by New York State Parks through a $250,000 investment from the NY Parks 2020 Plan. 

“This park addition is just one example of all the good possible through collaboration, “said Council Member Levin.  “Partnerships are important not just between City and State, but with the public as well.  This project is a product of healthy community engagement, and shows us that we all stand to benefit from working together at every level.”

“NYC Parks was pleased to partner with New York State Parks and Council Member Levin to bring the community an amenity for which they strongly advocated,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.  “This dog run will be an excellent addition to East River State Park, offering a diverse landscape for neighborhood pups to enjoy.”

"With a community vision coupled with the support and partnership between the City and NY State Parks, we can create a more livable neighborhood.  Today stands as a great example of what can be achieved," said Mark Sallinger, community advocate and proponent of the making of the East River State Park dog run.

The finished dog run totals 5,000 square feet and features separate areas for large and small dogs both equipped with water fountains, climbing boulders, and shaded seating. The dog run’s landscaped perimeter adds to the ambiance of the completed project and the park as a whole.

As an added feature, NYS Parks is piloting a dog waste composting program at East River State Park’s new dog run.  All solid dog waste will be composted at the park with the twin goals of both reducing the volume of dog waste and plastic bags that enter landfills, and also upcycling the dog waste into fertilizer for the park’s decorative plants. Park staff will help educate the public and dog run patrons on this exciting environmentally friendly dog waste composting pilot program.

Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State is making an historic commitment to improving and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor's NY Parks 2020 plan is a multi-year commitment to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The Governor's 2016-17 Executive Budget allocates $90 million toward this initiative.


The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 65 million people annually. A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $1.9 billion in economic activity annually and supports 20,000 jobs. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.