Hark! Hark! The dogs hardly bark

Maybe the fur isn’t really flying, but man’s best furry friends just might feel like they’re half-airborne as they race across the brand-new dog runs in Cow Meadow Park. 

Mayor Robert Kennedy presided over the new facility’s ribbon-cutting last Friday. Surrounding him were local officials, village staff, and owners of dogs ranging in size from well under 20 pounds to more than 50. 

“The Village of Freeport is pleased to announce the construction, completion and ribbon-cutting of two dog playgrounds here in the Village of Freeport Cow Meadow Park,” Kennedy said. “You’ll notice one is for 20 pounds and over, that’s the one on the left, and one is for 20 pounds and under, which is on your right.” 

Panting and grinning, the dogs had already tested out the runs prior to the ceremony. Three golden retrievers and a poodle had trod purposefully across the golden pea gravel that surfaced the large-dog run, while a Welsh Corgi and a Jack Russell dashed along the fence that separated the small-dog playground from the larger dogs, yapping briefly to their bigger buddies. The  golden retrievers cheerfully wrestled each other into the gravel, and noisily lapped water from the fountains near the fence. 

“Included in the constructions,” Kennedy said prior to cutting the ribbon, “we have water fountains for our pets, plastic bag dispensers for waste pickup and disposal, and benches and picnic tables for the owners to relax while they’re watching their pets. We also provided parking immediately adjacent to the runs so that our owners can park and easily get access.”

Pea gravel is highly rated for dog runs because its tiny pieces have no rough edges, it doesn’t heat up on hot days, and its price is reasonable.

“Our best friends now need no longer go to East Rockaway, Malverne, or Bellmore,” said Kennedy. “This park will be open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset, and we invite all our furry friends down here to join us in the beautiful Village of Freeport Cow Meadow Dog Park.”

Kennedy chose the moment to thank Rob Fisenne and the Department of Public Works for not only planning, designing, and constructing the dog park, but also for renovating the storm sewers, parking lots,  sidewalks, and picnic tables, as well as for maintenance of the grounds. 

He also thanked Vicki Dinielli, director of the Freeport Recreation Center, for assuming responsibility for the coordination of all the events, public and private, at the park: movies every other Friday from now till the end of the summer, and in addition, sporting activities such as soccer, baseball, tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, and pickleball.

“Let’s not forget our police department,” Kennedy went on, “which has implemented a new regular inspection scheduled down here in the park, and the installation of security cameras to monitor and keep safe our residents and pets in the Village of  Freeport. I assure you, there is much more to come in the near future here in Cow Meadow Park.”

During the question-and-answer period that followed, it came out that each of the two dog runs is 80 by 100 feet, that owners will be able to sit at the picnic tables and benches inside each area, and that overhangs have been ordered to generate shade on hot, sunny days. 

Another question from listeners elicited the answer that, in September, a row of big ferns will be planted along the fencing that will further buffer any doggie sounds that might be heard by the birds in the sanctuary pond west of the dog runs. 

Freeport Village Justice Sue Lyons commented that she, too, has gravel for her dogs, and asked about hosing down the gravel to prevent smells from building up. 

“There is a faucet right by the dog water fountain,” Kennedy said, “and there is a hose and they’ll be washing it down on a regular basis. By the way, I don’t want to see extra stones going from here over to your house,” which made Lyons laugh.

“They have cameras, don’t they?” said a man’s voice among the viewers, and everyone laughed again. 

Kennedy added that the park would be open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. He pointed to the rules posted on a nearby sign and invited suggestions from the public. 

“The entire park fence along South Main Street is being replaced,” Kennedy, “as well as the fencing around the basketball courts. Pickleball is now officially being used in the park, and there’s a lot more on the agenda. Thank you all for joining us! Let’s let the dogs in!”

The ribbon was cut with a cheerful hubbub, and the dogs raced back in to enjoy their new playground.