Thursday, April 18, 2013
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Photos by Marisol Díaz
PARKER, A GOLDENDOODLE, chases Cody, a labrador retriever, in Van Cortlandt Park’s Canine Court on Sunday. The dog run has fallen into disrepair in recent years and is in need of funds.
A place where pooches get to run free By Marie York newsroom@riverdalepress.com
L
ong before I had my two sons, I was setting up play dates of a different kind. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, I would take my fluffy goldendoodle Wookie, who was then a puppy with irrepressible energy, to Van Cortlandt Park’s Canine Court dog run, where she would spend hours galloping across the grass, frolicking with other dogs and — only after plenty of coaxing and a few treats — gingerly tiptoeing across the agility course’s balance beam or through the tunnel. Like proud parents at a football game, the other dog owners and I would stand on the sidelines and marvel at our four-legged children. We’d chat, bond and share tips on training and hygiene (for our hounds, of course). For those with dogs, especially in a city where living spaces can be cramped and leash laws strict, parks like this one are a necessity and a joy. But they require upkeep. This year, Canine Court is turning 15 — 105 if you’re counting in dog years — and its creator and steward Bash Dibra is asking the community to donate money or manpower to help
revitalize it. Situated off of Broadway, just north of the Parade Ground, the 14,000-sqaure-foot dog park has been plagued with drainage problems since it opened in April 1998. As any visitor can attest, dogs not only leave exhausted, but caked in mud as well. In recent years, the park’s fencing and entrances have fallen into disrepair, and the agility course — the first of its kind in New York City — has seen better days. “We’re constantly trying to catch up,” said Mr. Dibra. “As time went on, things got damaged.” Help, by way of funds, seems to be trickling in. Mr. Dibra, who owns Fieldston Pets on Bailey Avenue and is a selfproclaimed “dog trainer to the stars,” has called on his wealthy clients to donate. Checks here and there, he said, have led to the purchase of a new obstacle course, which should be installed soon. An event held this weekend at the Riverdale YM-YWHA should also get Mr. Dibra’s tail wagging. After a successful “Bark-B-Q” last August, which welcomed 135 people and their dogs, the Y decided to organize another dog-friendly event, with the proceeds benefiting a local dog
run. With guidance from the city Department of Parks and Recreation, Canine Court was named the recipient. On Sunday, dogs big and small played on an Astroturf-covered back deck for the Y’s own version of a Puppy Bowl. With toys and biscuits donated by Petco in Yonkers and a grant from TD Bank, the event raised $400 through registration. The Y then kicked in another $100. Marti Michael, executive director of the Y, called the event a success, remarking that there were no fights and only one accident, which was pooperscooped up quickly. “They played until some of them were so exhausted, they were sitting on the sides of the Astroturf,” she said with a chuckle. They were the spectators, she joked. To further raise funds, Mr. Dibra has organized a Fitness with Fido walk at Canine Court on Saturday, May 4, from noon to 2 p.m. For $10, dog owners and their pooches can learn about pet health and fitness and mingle in the playground. Mr. Dibra said he realizes that times are tough financially for many people, but, he added, “The need of Canine Court is strong and my determination has always been to give back to the community.”
RYAN THISTLE gives a treat to Elie, his Australian cattle dog mix.
To donate to Canine Court: Send a check to the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, earmarked for Canine Court, to 1 Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, NY 10462.
CODY, at right, enjoys a mud bath. Drainage at the 14,000-square-foot park has long been an issue.
JUNE, a red heeler, at far right, trots down a slide as owner Piri Miller watches on. The park is scheduled to receive new equipment.
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