THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.
The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
Relocated “Bark Park” open next week at the Duck Pond
Relocated “Bark Park” open next week at the Duck Pond
August 16.2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , After years of noise complaints from neighbors, dog owners will now have access to the new, relocated dog park at the Duck Pond. The new dog park at the Duck Pond is expected to be completed by Aug. 20. The new park is a bit smaller and, unlike it’s predecessor , does not have benches.
The project despite a very drawn-out process began in May and featured delays in everything from flood damage to construction issues is actually ahead of schedule according to Alan Koenig, landscape architect for the Bergen County Parks Department. ( http://www.northjersey.com/recreation/166443146_New__relocated_dog_park_in_Ridgewood_to_open_next_week.html) Weather permitting construction should be completed by Aug. 20.
Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser told the Ridgewood News that at the request of residents several years ago, the Village Council asked the county to relocate the dog park from the north side of the duck pond . The village did not select the final location.(http://www.northjersey.com/recreation/166443146_New__relocated_dog_park_in_Ridgewood_to_open_next_week.html)
While the park was know as a meeting place for dog owners . Near by residents , who were often bothered by the barking, dubbed the park “Bark Park” and in June, 2009 the hours at the Bergen County Bark Park were curtailed Weekdays – Sunrise to Sunset ,weekends – 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. ( http://theridgewoodblog.net/dog-park-hours-of-operation-curtailed/ )
The new location closer to Ridgewood Avenue just opposite 1200 East Ridgewood Avenue.should help mitigate some of the noise issue .
The original plane supported by the Village Council was part of a $1.5 million bike path extension to the existing Saddle River Area Bike Path. County Park officials planed to extend the path northward through Ridgewood and Paramus which gathered a lot of opposition from neighbors.who even turned up at Bergen County Freeholders meeting to express there disdain . The County decided to drop the plan to the delight of residents opposed due to budget , noise and congestion issues .
Why would the county spend money on a dog park when money is tight?