You are reading

Councilmember Krishnan Cuts Ribbon on New Dog Run in Jackson Heights

Councilmember Shekar Krishnan and Queens Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett cut the ribbon Thursday on a new dog run in Jackson Heights (Photo courtesy of Councilmember Krishnan’s office)

June 30, 2022 By Christian Murray

A dog run officially opened in Travers Park today after years of local advocacy.

The new run is the first to open in the heart of Jackson Heights and comes in response to a surge in dog ownership. There is an existing run under the BQE on 69th Street, but it is privately operated and not central to Jackson Heights.

The new dog run, which is free to enter, is approximately 4,500 square feet, with 2,500 square feet for large dogs and 2,000 square feet for smaller pooches.

The dog run is located next to the handball court and flush against 77th Street (Diagram courtesy of CM Krishnan’s office)

The run is located near the handball courts on 77th Street, in an area that the Parks Dept. describes as multi-play space.

The run incorporates the existing asphalt surface but is newly fenced and includes a water supply, a “mutt mitt” poop bag dispenser, and a storage area.

“Every member of our community deserves access to restorative public space, and that includes our dog owners,” said Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, who represents the district and is chair of the city council’s Committee on Parks and Recreation.

Krishnan, who was sworn into office in January, said that local dog owners have waited far too long for a run, and added that dogs are more than just pets but are family members.

The dog run will operate as a pilot program for one year, and if it proves successful, will be made permanent. Local volunteers will maintain the run, with guidance from the NYC Parks Dept. The run will be open during regular park hours.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy our wonderful greenspaces — those on two legs and four legs alike,” said Queens NYC Parks Commissioner Michael Dockett.

The dog run has space allocated for small dogs as well as all/larger dogs (Plan courtesy CM Krishnan’s office)

“We thank Parks Chair Krishnan for his advocacy for this run, and we’re proud to launch this pilot here in Travers Park to explore expanding recreational access for the Jackson Heights dog-owning community.”

Local dog owners have been calling for a dedicated space for their pooches for year.

In 2019, a local group of dog owners launched a petition calling on the city to allow their pooches to run off-leash during specified hours in a fenced off section of Travers Park.

The petitioners at the time said that there were no suitable places for their pups to run, noting that the JH Crew Dog park located under the BQE on 69th Street was unsatisfactory.

“The dog owners of Jackson Heights are thrilled that the Travers Dog Run [is] open,” said Layna Patel, Communications Lead for Canine Social Club of Jackson Heights. “We are grateful to Councilmember Krishnan and Queens Borough Parks Commissioner Dockett for listening to our collective voices and creating a safe and fun space for our beloved family pets to run and play.”

Dog owners at the ribbon cutting at Travers Park Thursday (Photo courtesy of Councilmember Krishnan’s office)

Dog owners and city officials at the ribbon cutting at Travers Park Thursday (Photo courtesy of Councilmember Krishnan’s office)

email the author: [email protected]
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Queens DA, elected officials highlight recent scams targeting older adults, add advice on self-protection

Two days after Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced she had brought charges against a Flushing man for scamming more than $600,000 from seniors across the country, her office hosted a presentation at the Ridgewood Older Adult Center on Mar. 12 to coach participants on how they can avoid being victims of similar schemes.

“Education is key to preventing fraudulent activity, particularly among the senior population,” Katz said. “To this end, my office has been actively engaging with senior centers across the borough, providing insights on the warning signs of common scams.”

Northeast Queens house burglar remains at large nearly a month after breaking into two homes: NYPD

Police from the 109th Precinct in Flushing are still searching for a man who broke into two homes last month in Kew Gardens Hills and Murray Hill, making off with more than $10,000 in cash and jewelry.

The burglar first struck on the evening of Monday, Feb. 26, when he entered a private residence near 138th Street and 62nd Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills, just two blocks south of the Long Island Expressway. The suspect broke into the home by breaking a rear window at around 7 p.m. Once inside, he allegedly removed jewelry valued at approximately $2,000 before running off in an unknown direction, police said.

Queens cop indicted in fatal collision that killed a construction worker on Grand Central Parkway last April: AG

A city cop from Jamaica was arrested on Friday and booked at the 102nd Precinct in Richmond Hill, where he was charged with manslaughter and other crimes for a fatal collision last April.

NYPD Officer Paul Tyler, 24, was arraigned hours later in Queens Supreme Court on an indictment charging him with manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide for allegedly striking a highway construction worker on the Grand Central Parkway on the morning of Apr. 26, 2023, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced.