Community Corner

Off-Leash Dog Park Gains Steam with Online Petition

County residents can take part in online petition for dog park in Van Saun

River Edge resident John Fugazzie got the ball rolling for the creation of an in  last spring. Recently, River Edge Mayor Sandy Moscaritolo has picked up where Fugazzie started by creating an online petition for county residents.

"Interest has been growing of late to create an off leash Dog Park at Van Saun County Park," Moscaritolo said. "Van Saun County Park serves the residents of Bergen County, in particular the Boroughs of River Edge, Oradell and Paramus.  However Van Saun Park has no facility to allow pet owners to socialize or dogs to exercise off-leash."

Along with allowing owners and dogs to socialize, an off-leash dog park offers senior citizens a place to exercise their companions, promotes responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of dog-control laws.

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Currently Bergen County residents can take their four-legged family members to dog parks in Ridgewood, Leonia, Lyndhurst and Woodcliff Lake.

"Off-leash dog areas, or dog parks, provide a community setting in which people can gather and socialize and where they can observe the interaction of groups of dogs at play," Moscaritolo said. "Dog parks the world over allow owners and their dogs to spend time together while the dog satisfies its cravings for canine play and companionship."

Find out what's happening in River Dellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fugazzie has called his proposal for an off-leash dog park a "dog owner's version of the downtown community." He has estimated the cost of the project at $60,000 to cover the placement of fencing, wood chips and signage but suggested that the bulk of the costs could be covered by donations or sponsorships rather than placing the burden on taxpayers.

Along with the online petition is a Facebook group for residents to discuss where they currently bring their dogs to as well as how to best organize moving the idea forward.

Once the petition reaches 100 signatures it will be sent to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders.


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