New Long Island City park playgrounds still in construction flux

What about the deck area expansion under the Pepsi sign? It would be great if it met up with that restaurant at the end…

I don’t think the riverfront path could reach the restaurant unless it went over the canal, which is not too likely to happen.

That’s all privately owned land. Not going to happen.

Years ago I heard Plaxall, which owns some, if not all, of the land there had proposed building a bridge over the canal if they were allowed to build higher than current zoning allows. But that was at the height of the RE boom.

6, Apparently, playing on lawns is not adequate for today’s children. All that grass, soil and crawling insects are fraught with peril.

there are too many playground in LIC. made no sense to destroy the nice lawn in the park for another one.

The anti-child movement is really getting old….

I am confused. If there aren’t any playgrounds, then the children will be noisily playing and occupying large amounts of green space. Would you be better off if the children are contained in a confined playground.

Also, children have no rights and can’t move around the city on their own. They are limited to playing where they live or go to school. These are the most under-represented group in any society. If you can’t share space with them, then it says something about yourself.

the existing playgrounds are overcrowded. More playgrounds will need to be built to accomodate them. playing football and stickball is a NY tradition, which the children who use the playground will eventually graduate to.

hey mike, yea i saw that…. football and stickball are a tradition for kids… not 15 grown @ss men who could’ve easily played in the field or park… i would like to nominate them for tool academy 3 seems like a fun kiddie park tho, i don’t have kids but the playground by vernon seems really dirty/scary. lol like what is up with those evil looking squirrel statues?

If there is one thing everyone can agree on its that dogs should not be allowed in the park.

#18/#20 – Yes most people agree that the last thing we need is to let dogs in the park! There is enough goose crap to deal with let alone more dog crap. Plus the pro-dog people have already illegally taken over the field in front of the soccer field so its completely destroyed with urine burned grass and dog feces. Please if there is one thing we do not need are friggin dogs in the park!

prior to the dog pooper-scooper laws, there was a conversation about eliminating dogs from NYC. although we don’t have to walk on dog shit as much anymore, it is still disgusting. dog shit and piss carry disease.

also a dog and the caring of a dog produces 3 times the greenhouse gases as an SUV. there should be a yearly tax on dogs with exemptions for the elderly, the blind, and others who can show a medical need.

22, you inadvertently provided me with a laugh this morning with your proposal for a “shit cleaning tax.” Thanks!

The park on 50th is so small and not in good shape at all. I heard that it will be removed on completion of the new area.

I haven’t seen this park in person yet, but it seems to have a lot of metal. None of the powers that be realized that it’s not a good idea on hot days. One of the new parks in DUMBO having lots of trouble with that.

Sorry Stroller Mom, no one has an issue with your kids. The entier world does not revolve around them. What people are upset about is losing a beautiful open space that could be enjoyed by children and adults alike in place of metalic maze of jungle gyms and ugly slides. There is no shortage of playgrounds in LIC. There will never be another opportunity to have a green open field like we had before. You to be able to sit out there and feel nature with the open area and the river. It was an oasis in the middle of a busy and hectic city. The effect is no longer the same with shiny industrial complex of a playground. No one has an anti kid agenda. Open 20 new playgrounds! This was just not the right place for one.

poster #31 please note that there is no nature in a broad lawn. That is completely artificial. One can feel the river by standing on one of the many big open piers.

could we solve the dog problem by putting diapers on them?

I agree with Frank (32). I get really annoyed when lazy slobs leave behind their half-filled coffee cups and other trash on on park or subway benches. So do I conclude that all coffee drinkers are pigs and call for coffee drinking to be banned? Folks, we live in a crowded city with few public spaces. There will always be a good number of inconsiderate people among us, dog owners, coffee drinkers or not.

I disagree Frank. After living in LIC for years, I’d say the majority of the dog owners in LIC are irresponsible, and a minority pick up after their dogs. There’s just way too much crap on the sidewalk.

ISn’t there a dog group in LIC now? Why don’t they do themselves (and us) a favor and organize a weekly dog shit clean-up for the sidewalks. And police each other for crap’s sake. A cup left on a bench does not carry disease the way animal feces does. It’s not in the same league of trash, and of course all humans should pick up after themselves, but clearly they don’t. But I shouldn’t be subject to stepping in dogshit because of a lazy, entitled dog owner.

No one said you were responsible for them. I said if you want to be angry at someone be angry at them. They are the ones causing you problems. No one said that the neighborhood was going down the drain. You should read better. Its not going down the drain, but when you lose trees, have to avoid a minefeild of poo, and have areas that smell like a tiolet the quality of life is definately down.

Your analogy about coffee cups is not valid because it is in fact illegal bring any liquid in an open container into the subway system. Drinking was banned because of the mess it leaves behind. Now most people don’t leave their half finished coffee under the seat, but a lot do. So now now one is allowed to do it. Same with dogs.

#41 who said anything about the subway? I’m talking about littering in general. And I’m not mad at anyone I just don’t like when people generalize \dog owners are terrible people\. Hey you know what, my neighbor plays his music really loud at night, our building should probably kick out ANYONE with a stereo because stereo owners are HORRIBLE people…that’s basically was is being said here. If the quality of life has gone so far down it’s simple…move

To all you dog haters – stop throwing your used condoms, chicken bones, plastic bags, pizza crusts and other garbage on the street and then maybe I’ll start listening to your point of view. If we applied the same standards and restrictions to humans as we do to dogs in the neighborhood, no one would be able to use the park.

Also, if you’re going to have picnic in the park or near the piers, be considerate to others and dont treat it like your own private park. I’m sick and tired of people who hate dogs coming on here and talking about them like they are a threat to public safety and health. You’re probably the same people drinking beer in public places and acting like complete jerks who take over every public space by the water as soon as its nice out.

Responsible dog owners hate irresponsible ones just as much as you do. But the vast majority of dog owners are more responsible and considerate than the large amount of people in LIC using the public parks and spaces.

And for god sakes, quit your complaining and whining for five minutes – besides one badly maintained dog run, there is absolutely nowhere for dogs to play in the neighborhood. The anti-dog faction in LIC has clearly won, and yet you act like you’re overrun in dog crap and need to take back the neighborhood. Get a grip.

#45, you said it better than me.

43, reread your post in #37. Contrary to your argument food and drink are banned in many public places including parks and subway benches. The simple fact is where the minority can’t behave properly rules are passed which ultimately affect the majority. Dog owners are not being singled out for special persecution as your posts would imply. Rules are passed that benefit society as a whole – not just some smaller segement. So whether you like to drink coffee on the subway or run around with you dog in a park, the powers that be have decided that the public cleanliness is more important. Don’t like it? Write your senator to complain. A lot of good its done for you so far. Common sense folk realize that this makes perfect sense.

Nearly every discussion here turn into a dog hate session? Are you reading the same blog that I am? It these types of self centered oh pity us statements that make it hard for people to understand…

Fine, no generalizations. There are some good dog owners, but unfortunately that is not the point. Since there is no way of telling the good owners from the bad all dogs are banned from the park. If you are upset about that ban the only one you can rightly blame are the bad dog owners. They are the one who ruined it for you and continue to ruin it for the rest of society.

#53 I have no complaints about dogs being banned from the parks. I actually think it’s a good thing. Do I wish there were more dog friendly areas? Of course but I’m not even complaining about that. All I was asking was to not assume all dog owners are bad ones

#56 you’re preaching to the choir. I think the reason anyone gets on this forum is to learn more about LIC because they care about their neighborhood…at least that’s why I do. If you care about your neighborhood you pick up your crap. Therefore I think the dog/ dog-owner hating rants can be taken somewhere else…chances are these people are reading right now

The dog group could coordinate with the community and adopt a code of conduct for dog owners in the neighborhood. The dogs could be issued a special tag for their collar. Owners would promise to clean up after their pooch and otherwise be a considerate owner. Limit the park only to those who abide by the code of conduct.

58, there is much to agree with in your post, but I have to point out that there are already neighborhood groups which clean up trash and otherwise try to look after Gantry park. They are not the ones dropping chicken bones and rubbish, but they make an effort to clean it up. So its not so absurd and there is no double standard. The point is that its easy to sit back and complain, but its harder to get involved and actually do something to fix the problem.

#54 you do not pay a dog tax. taxes are paid on a yearly basis. You pay a dog fee for registering your dog. When you accuse others of ignorance, you should consider that not only are you ignorant but also a hypocrit.

# 63 If you read carefully you would see that I said I must pay it on an “annual” basis. Since you don’t deem to know the meaning of annual, I’ll explain It means that I pay it every year. Fee, surcharge, whatever you want to call it – it’s a tax.

And for future reference, “hypocrite” is the correct spelling.

Most people in the neighborhood don’t know each other even though they probably see the same faces everyday. It’s just a NY mentality.

Don’t blame the dogs. Blame their owners. Like I said earlier, people just are inconsiderate of others. I own a dog and I clean up.

Parents should pick up after their kids. Dog owners should pick up after their dogs.
Parents should make their kids shut up when they are being brats in public – and that does not mean ignoring them until they shut up. Dog owners should make sure their dogs aren’t continuously barky in public. You don’t have special priviledges just because you have a kid or a dog. We are all mature adults and should act like it. And stroller moms – learn to “drive” your strollers, it’s not ok to bump into people feet with your dirty stroller wheels because you are not looking in front of you as you walk.

Wow, #66. I think you have the most illuminating point. And guess what, 10 years ago, garbage and dog poop were not the problem they are now. I’m not saying it was nonexistent……. but it just wasn’t constant. There are more irreverent people living here now. So sad.

#54 – You pay a dog tax? Really your dog license fee? That is is $8.50 a year!! Come on, that would not pay for one person to pick up one of your dog’s cinnamon buns! Or pay for the $300-600 trees that LIC dogs piss on and burn up every year. $8.50, what a joke. Now it that $850 bucks, now we are talking.

Without permission, your dog can’t “legally” pee/poop/cavort on others’ property any more than you can. Could be nuisance (interference w/property enjoyment), damage, trespass, animal-nuisance violation … In general – sidewalk-to-street is public property. The “nuisance law” says your dog-cat-animal can’t “commit a nuisance on a sidewalk of any public place, on a floor, wall, stairway or roof of any public or private premises used in common by the public, or on a fence, wall or stairway of a building abutting on a public place.” (“Nuisance” = pee and poop.)
It doesn’t say “can’t pee on tree near curb,” and few even get summonses for sidewalk poop, as long as they scoop. HOWEVER: Be nice. The city makes people maintain the sidewalk area in front of their property. Some do a lot to make curbside nice and keep city trees alive. Dog pee kills grass/plants. In quantity, it can kill trees (and where one dog marks, others will follow). Replacing a NYC “street tree” can take forever, and-or $1,000.

You are supposed to CURB you dog and clean up after it. Curb means to walk him at the curb, THE GUTTER, in other words. If you live in the country, it’s different. in a town or city, you have to respect other people’s property. Would you like it if it were YOUR lawn, or your door?

I’m not a dog owner, but feel it’s only right to have a dog run. Dogs need their socialization and own spaces. 76# you have a really valid point, that I wish dog owners would pay attention to. And that is: Please pick up after your dog, and PLEASE keep them from peeing on the trees. I know it’s a dog’s nature, but dogs are trainable, and trees are defenseless.

Friendlier tone!? The dogs are shitting everywhere and pissing as the dudde above mentioned. Totally disrespectiful.

80 is right. I was surprised to see where the new playground is sited when I took a walk to the park last week. It totally breaks up the feel of the space and makes it impossible now for the lawn to be used for larger gatherings, which might be the reason why it was done.

Dear anonymous, childless, soulless shells of human beings whining and griping about children playing in a public park: Just because you came from whatever nameless town you are from (not New York City and certainly not Queens) and were able to land whatever job that pays enough to allow you to afford one of those Godforsaken condos in Long Island City before you turn 40 (I’m making a lot of assumptions here, and I am fine with that) does not mean you own the world. Do you understand that? Seriously, do you understand that? I’m sorry you had such a lousy upbringing that you haven’t been able to form a stable relationship, and hence will probably never have children, and you have to deceive yourself into thinking that you are really okay with that, and that the money you earn, and the empty, meaningless relationships your ramble through will somehow fill that cold little void in your life, but please stop spreading your poison bitterness on others who decided to contribute to the continuation of the human race, and just want a decent public space in the city (which are hard to come by) where their children can play.