BY JASON COHEN
While a petition for a dog
run at Loreto Park had garnered
nearly 600 signatures,
it appears man’s best friend
will be shunned from having
a place to roam free and enjoy
other furry friends.
On May 5, the Community
Board 11 Parks Committee declined
to vote on issuing the
dog run a letter of support as
members explained that since
St. Francis Xavier, the nearby
school, doesn’t want the park
there, their hands are tied.
“We can’t support it unless
they (the school) support
it,” said Committee Member
Lisa Soto.
CB 11 Chair Al D’Angelo
told the Bronx Times that
parents and faculty are concerned
about the safety of
the children.
Morris Park resident Matt
Caulfield, an owner of two
dogs, who launched the petition
in January, was hoping
to repurpose the underused
southeast corner of the
park near Van Nest Ave and
Tomlinson Ave to use as a dog
run. This area is already enclosed
with adequate fencing
on three sides and there are
benches for people to sit.
Caulfield expressed frustration
with the situation.
“From my point of view,
How the dog run could look in Loreto Park. Courtesy of the petition
the community board should
back the community’s feeling,”
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,8 MAY 14-20, 2021 BTR
he stressed. “I’m trying
to do my part to show this is
what the community wants.”
Caulfield feels everyone is
passing the buck. The community
board told him to
speak with Councilman Mark
Gjonaj and Gjonaj’s office said
vice versa.
Making matters worse, it
seems like the parks department
is not on the same page
either.
A Parks spokesman told
the Bronx Times the bocce
court, which was renovated
in 2011, is heavily used and
is not the right place to build
a dog run. However, it will
work with the community
to find alternative locations
for the neighborhood’s furry
friends to enjoy.
Meanwhile, Matt Doiron
from the Parks Department
attended the meeting
last week and discredited
rumors that the Parks Department
made statements
against the proposal. He
was also able to verify that
in his observation the bocce
count hasn’t been used in 10
years and that that corner of
the park just gets filled with
leaves and trash.
He also expressed interest
in presenting the petition
to the Bronx Parks Commissioner.
Caulfield feels the dog
run is in limbo and is not
sure what to do at this point.
“At this point I’m just
a backing off the project,”
Caulfield said. “I don’t need
the dog park for myself. I
saw the part of the park not
being used.”
Dog-gone
shame
Dog run not likely for
Loreto Park
CANDIDATE A
CANDIDATE B
CANDIDATE C
CANDIDATE D
CANDIDATE E
1ST
CHOICE
2ND
CHOICE
3RD
CHOICE
4TH
CHOICE
5TH
CHOICE
• Mayor
• Public Advocate
• Comptroller
• Borough President
• City Council
• Early Voting: June 12-20
• Election Day: June 22
More Info: VOTE.NYC
866-VOTE-NYC (866-868-3692)
TTY: 212-487-5496
Now you
can rank
up to 5
candidates
to their name under the ‘1st Choice’ column.
under the ‘2nd Choice’ column.
You may continue this process for up to 5 candidates.
You do not have to choose 5