Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, today joined Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assembly Member Marcos Crespo, Community Board 9 Parks Committee Chair Jesse Mendoza, and local canine lovers to cut the ribbon at the newly constructed dog run at Soundview Park.
“This is a great opportunity for neighborhood residents to meet and engage with each other right outside of their homes,” said Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa. “The social experience that this facility now creates, not only benefits the dogs but the owners as well. We are so happy to be able to provide yet another distinguishable amenity for community members here in the Bronx.”
This facility features chain link perimeter fencing, an accessible drinking fountain with a dog bowl, a storage box, 1964 World’s Fair replica benches and stone screenings. Funding was provided by the Mayor’s office and the Borough President in the amount of $350,000.
“This dog run is a long sought after amenity for Soundview Park and I was proud to help make it happen with some of my own capital funding. As a Soundview resident and dog owner myself, I know just how important this dog run will be to my neighbors and I thank NYC Parks for working to make this project a reality,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“Soundview park has seen remarkable investments and improvements over the last few years, but today’s Dog Run opening offers a unique yet important amenity for Soundview families including our four legged neighbors,” said Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo. “This addition continues to add to the splendor of this beautiful park and offers a new space for people to come together and serve the health and needs of their beloved companions. I thank Borough President Diaz and Parks Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa for their efforts on behalf of my constituents.”
Before its transformation, Soundview Park was a partially developed site built on a landfill. Today, the 205-acre park offers six grass baseball fields, a cricket pitch, a running track, a soccer field, six basketball courts, six handball courts, a running track with synthetic turf field, walking/biking paths and a new performance lawn.