Brooklyn - -
New York City's Largest Off-Leash Community
"Every day is a holiday for our dogs!" Tony Chiappelloni
FIDO In Prospect Park's commitment is to ensure that Prospect Park is a safe and healthy place for dogs; that responsible supervision of dogs and charitable activities focusing on Prospect Park, will enhance public respect regarding the benefits and responsibilities of dog ownership. Please make a serious effort to monitor your dog's interactions whether it be on the sidewalk or in the park itself.
Join FIDO
receive e-mail advisories: lost & found dogs, health notices and more...
FIDO Twitter - 2011 FIDO Calendar - Lost Items - Barkings- Local Dog Runs- Off-Leash Rules -
PROSPECT PARK OFF-LEASH AREAS: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. -- 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.
ALL other Times & Areas, you MUST leash up!
Responsible Ownership Means Always Respect The Law
Prospect Park Geese Roundup
What we know... What our officials knew...
Public reaction... Official's reaction
What our officials will do so this never happens again!
Answers to All of the above +Update - New York Post - August 18th
See Article by Stephen Brown
read FIDO In Prospect Park's open letter to Tupper ThomasCity Hall Geese Rally Pictorial
August 12th - Noon
300 strong gathered on the steps of New York City Hall to express outrage toward the
needless slaughter of Prospect Park's 400 geese & goslings in the name of aircraft safety. Nonetheless, Gateway National Recreation Area's (Jamaica Bay) geese, who swim at the end of JFK's runways, remain under the protection of their Federal Director, until he can be shown proof that New York City's geese pose any real danger.
Council Member Stephen Levin
City Council Member Letitia James &
State Senator Eric Adams
Actress Elaine Hendricks
Wildlife Rescuer, Annie-Katrin Titze, Prospect Park's unofficial Lake Keeper, speaks to the cover up.
Pictorial Slideshow Link
Pictorial Slideshow LinkHumane Society, NY chapter, Patrick Kwan
Defense of Animal's protest link to Mayor Boomberg
In Defense of Our GeesePetition to the USDA (submitted by In Defense of Animals)
Tell USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, To Stop Exterminating Canada Geese
In Memory Of Our Beloved Prospect Park Geese - July 17th
President Humane Society, NY chapter, Patrick Kwan
Vigil for the gassed geese was held Saturday, July 17 at the gazebo on Prospect Park lake (near the entrance at Vanderbilt Street) at 6:30 pm. More police than politicians showed up but those who did, assured the crowd that this mistake would never happen again.
District 39 Councilmember, Brad Landers
State Senator, Eric Adams
Upcoming...
Next Coffee Bark - Saturday, September 11th (week later because of Labor Day Weekend)
7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Long Meadow beside the Picnic House
What's Coffee Bark?Our "Dog Chat" button now brings you to FIDO Facebook & Twitter
*Pupnic 2010 - pictures
Garbage 2010
Frederick Law Olmstead complained that when he designed Central Park, all the politicians messed with his plans - straightened out all his paths and walkways. When he got the contract for Prospect Park, he vowed to do it right! He most certainly did. The public knows he got it right - that's why they come.
The Prospect Park Alliance has wrung out every last drop from their budget; has gone a long way toward buying proper sized trash containers; has turned out dozens of volunteers for clean up and appeals to the public - they can't continue to keep going it alone. A third term administration shouldn't be satisfied with a third rate response when it comes to maintaining the most beautiful park in the whole city. FIDO In Prospect Park just contributed $2000 toward two more containers, purely out of our monthly Coffee Bark donations. City officials, send more money to our parks!Below excerpted from Next American City - Online Magazine
Quoting Geoffrey Croft, president of the watchdog group NYC Park Advocates.
“One for the rich, the other for the poor.”
By Patrick Arden
"Though Parks Department funding has gone up since then (referring to Robert Moses and the 1930's) , it’s lagged dramatically behind increases to other agencies, and the department has never recovered from the drastic cuts in its workforce beginning in the fiscal crisis of the 1970s. In 1960 parks maintenance and operations claimed 1.4 percent of city funds. Mayor Bloomberg’s new $63.6 billion budget would send parks’ percentage to a record low of 0.37 percent, or $239 million. (Chicago spent almost $150 million more last year on 21,000 fewer acres.) The mayor’s cut would drop the full-time workforce below 3,000, less than half the number employed by the Parks Department in 1970. “No other city agency has lost a greater percentage of its workforce over the last 40 years,” says Croft. “Private money will never make that up.”"
What does work!
Buy and they will be used.
One container is obviously not enough but picnickers get the idea. Look for at least twelve new, two yard trash containers arriving near your off-leash area.
Now you can help encourage people to clean up - bag it over to the nearest container!or
Join The FIDO Green Team
We do it the old fashion way!
Mondays around 9 a.m.
The Peninsula - E-mail Tony: fidobrooklyn@gmail.com
Long Meadow - E-mail Brian Henry: bjh1012@aol.comSee FIDO Member Garry Osgood's commentary with Amy Pearl WNCY-News
Summer 2010 - Our last summer's agenda now a reality!
The Bottom Line as we saw it back in July 2009
"Here's the question: should we be content to just clean up every week or attack the problem!
FIDO would like to see dozens of large trash containers, placed where the public can access them - no more individual garbage cans that constantly overflow. Enough is enough... (twelve are coming)FIDO would like to see a specific "green squad" of volunteers to encourage people to bag out what they can by handing out free trash bags and pointing out the nearest dumpster - non-threatening way to communicate. (see Alliance appeal below)
FIDO would like to see a spring-time ticket blitz for the illegal barbecuing that is destroying tree roots and pitting open meadows.
Expansion of legal barbecuing areas with "striking" signs would go a long way toward steering people to the proper areas." (Some warnings are being handed out but they're being far too polite - signs in place - expanded barbecuing area) So all this is now happening..... butIf We Talk The Talk, Can We Walk the Walk?
Help The Prospect Park Alliance get the word out to the public!From Prospect Park Alliance...
We are embarking on another venture to help keep Prospect Park clean. This particular campaign focuses on Parks "Anti-Litter Initiative" by encouraging sports leagues, picnickers and patrons to use garbage bags and bins.Starting this weekend, we are searching for volunteers to work alongside a staff person distributing literature, garbage bags, etc. to park users in BBQ and picnic areas. The shifts are 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. and 12:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.Join us by calling 718-965-8960 or via email at volunteers@prospectpark.org . We thank you in advance for your usual cooperation in our endeavors to keep Prospect Park clean and beautiful."James E. Green
Office Manager------------------------
Fish Line Recycling Bins
They work!
Chris Hubbard shows off first collection
6/2/10
First proposed to FIDO In Prospect Park by dog owner & member, Chris Hubbard, we followed through by donating four fish line recycling bins to the Prospect Park Alliance with our promise to periodically empty and ship any fishing line off to a designated recycling center. They are located along the Lullwater and near the Well House by the lake.
Though our first week's collection amounted to a small bag of discarded line we feel good knowing that with its removal from the park, a few more waterfowl will be spared entanglement and needless death. If nothing else, the warning on these bins will heighten awareness of the danger fishing line poses to the birds who frequent our lake and waterways.
Update: Proposed Dog Run - 18th Street btw 7th & 6th Ave's
Proposal has passed the local Community Board/Approved by Parks.
see details
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FIDO Remembrance For Our departed Dogs....As in every May since 2003, we gathered in front of the FIDO Memorial Tree beside the Pools, not far from where we once strolled with companions so loyal, they cared not what the weather was; just so long as we were at their side....
Illegal Dog Fighting
From the Brooklyn D. A.'s OfficeAs the warm weather approaches there is often an increase in dog fighting and dogfight training in more remote areas of the Park. Obviously if there is something people see happening in front of them - e.g. a fight taking place – they should call 911 or find an Officer in the Park who can respond ASAP. (You can also try Park Enforcement Police (the green police vehicles) between 8 am & 6 pm at 718-437-1350 or 718-437-1351)
People are welcome to contact the Kings County DA ’s Office. Our Action Center number is 718-250-2340 and staff is there during the normal business hours. If they see what they believe to be dog fighting at those times, all they need to do is note the location and the usual time. We can arrange for surveillance at a specific location (obviously not all over the park) as long as we have good details about when and where. Then we’ll catch the fighters ourselves
Please let your members know that we are here and that we appreciate any information that would allow us to investigate and make a case.
Carol Moran
Deputy District Attorney
Animal Crimes Enforcement
Kings County District Attorney’s Office
moranc@brooklynda.org
02/16/10
Suspicious Raccoon Encounters...
A raccoon tested positive for rabies in Brooklyn - Boerum Hill near State & Nevins Streets Beware of any encounter where the raccoon is either openly aggressive or unusually friendly, especially during daylight hours. Report such encounters to 311 immediately. If you or your dog is bitten, call 911!311 useless?
In Prospect Park, if you suspect a rabid animal, call the Park Supervisor's office at: 718-287-9889. If it's during work hours they have expressed a willingness to investigate. Between the hours of 9 am and 6 pm, you can also call Park Enforcement Police (the green police vehicles) at 718-437-1350 or 718-437-1351.
Barkings...
Download FIDO Newsletters
going back to Spring 2003
FIDO Video
Dog Beach Video: NYC Parks Dept It's Your Park
2011 FIDO Calendar
Will be in production throughout September's Coffee Bark.Newsletters going back to 2003
In The News ...
New York Post - Sunday May 10th, 2009
Read about Orrin Tilevitz and his anti-off leash jihad in Prospect Park (and other parks)See Credo Blog Spot, the Orrin antidote
Lost & Found Items
8/20/10
Found a set of keys in the field behind the dog beach (by the small puddle that forms in the rain, if you're familiar). It is a set of 3 keys, one of which has a blue cover over the top, and it also includes a speedpass with the number 07420385. contack: wrogers508@yahoo.com
8/13/10
Rabies, license and home again chip id, Contact msf_boog@msn.com
8/10/10
Found - near ball fields - set of house keys with unique key rig: e-mail bipcar@gmail.com
8/7/10
Found - a short braided leash at Coffee Bark Table e-mail:bipcar@gmail.com
7/10/10
Would it be possible to reach out to all the wonderful dog owners from yesterdays morning walk about a lost green wallet? Its a green/black Vans wallet that I believe I lost yesterday probably at farmers market. If anyone found anything they can contact 347-526-4805Loose you dog?
We offer helpful information/postings on how to get your dog back as well as an emergency lost/found dog notification service by e-mailing: fidolostdog@gmail.com
Does Your Dog Have a City Dog Tag/Rabies Tag?
New York City Health Department Dog Licence on-line registry - painless! An alternative is to download their PDF application and mail it in. Takes a few weeks! See your veterinarian for rabies tags. Know that a lost dog can be traced back to the veterinarian who issued the rabies tag. Usually under $10/ year!Health...
Hot Weather TipsLeptospirosis! critical that you vaccinate your dog!
See FIDO Newsletter Summer 2009 - Lepto interview (pdf)
Lyme Disease summery
Note: FIDO has a great "Health" section with all kinds of tips & links for canine park usersGrowls...
Stand By Your Dog!
While someone else does the shopping...
Never leave your dog on a parking meter! Even though you may be able to see your dog through the shop window, a moment's distraction is all it takes! Stolen dogs have been held for ransom or reward right here in Park Slope. Size doesn't matter - there are people out there who will roll your dog through the doorway of a minivan without a moment's hesitation. Worse still, you dog may end up in a research laboratory or sold to an out of state pet store. Patronize dog friendly stores; have a friend watch your dog or better still, leave your dog home when you're shopping.
Local Dog Runs
Can't get up in the morning?Official Dog Runs (extended hours)
Park Slope: Washington Park - 3rd Street btw 4th & 5th Aves
Brooklyn Heights: Hillside Park - near Old Fulton Ferry
See complete Borough list: NYC Off-Leash Areas & Dog Runs
Local Groups Wanting to Establish a Dog Run (FIDO will promote your efforts any way we can)Greenwoood Hts-South Slope Dog Owners
18th Street, just below 7th ave toward 6th Ave (by Prospect Expressway).
www.southslopedog.org/
contact Pamela Brown5/20/10 Victory! .... Proposal has passed the Community Board by an overwhelming vote!
Tireless efforts by this committed group pays off at last! It takes people who show up time and time again - stand by their group. Details are being worked out with the City Parks Department as to how this will all happen. For a full report, contact Pamela Brown .Cadman Plaza forming off-leash group
Our Group is Cadman Plaza Dogs (cadmanplazadogs@gmail.com). We are starting to reach out to the community and could use all the help we can get.
Want to establish a dog run? NYCdog had the information you need to get started:
http://nycdog.org/NYCdogFreeserver/park.html
Join FIDO
Please Remember...
What made FIDO in Prospect Park viable twelve years ago was that a committed bunch of dog owners gathered together with Park administration to work out the basic off-leash rules that were essentially the rules we know today. The trick was to live by them. By becoming a MEMBER of FIDO, dog owners felt empowered to apply peer pressure to those who still "didn't get it"! Having control of your dog at all times is basic; it's still our number one priority today.FIDO In Prospect Park provided the city-wide role model that inspired some twenty thousand plus New York City dog owners to make their voices known through petitions and letters when the City beat back the lawsuit by the Juniper Hill Civic association to end all off-leash privileges. Instead off-leash privileges became off-leash law! Let's double our membership. Membership means you have a say in all manner of things "off-leash". Membership is a commitment to your fellow dog-owners as well as other park users. Membership is for one year. The amount? Simply whatever you can afford from a few dollars on up. You can even join on-line.
What's in it for me?
You will be a part of a LARGE group committed to the responsible off-leash rules that make this park such a haven for dogs and their owners.
Group Notifications Via E-mail
You will be on an e-mail list of over 600 people who receive advisories concerning lost & found dogs (it might be yours); health tips; safety alerts and more. Join FIDO - make yourself count.
Dog-Daze of Summer
