On November 30, 2006, the long awaited, new dog park at West Hills County Park opened for use by dog owners and their dogs. The new dog park, which is fenced and covers 1-3/4 acres of grassy field, is one of the largest official dog parks in Nassau or Suffolk counties. The dog run is located in the eastern section of West Hills County Park on Sweet Hollow Rd. near Sweet Hills Stables.

The new run is the result of work by Suffolk County Legislator Lou D'Amaro and members of LI-DOG. Leg. D'Amaro, who represents south Huntington including the area around West Hills as well as northern Babylon, not only secured the funding for the new dog park but also worked with the Parks Dept. to move the project along.

The park currently features two-double gated entries, benches and a bulletin board. When it is completely finished in the spring, it will have additional benches, a water fountain and a shade/rain pavilion.

To celebrate the initial opening of the dog park and to publicly thank Leg. D'Amaro for making this new run a reality, dog owners gathered at the dog park on the first Saturday after it opened to take a photograph of dog owners holding up a long sign saying, "Thank you, Leg. D'Amaro!" The sign, which features letters in the form of dogs (what else!), was the handiwork of Linda T. who also made the great signs for LI-DOG's Share the Park campaign. Thank you, Linda! Also thanks to Pia and her dog Duke for contributing the delicious coffee and donuts!

As far as the previously existing dog run is concerned-it is located in the western half of West Hills Park off Round Swamp Rd.--LI-DOG has asked the Suffolk Parks Dept. to keep that run, which covers about 1/3-of-an-acre, available for small and timid dogs.

The bottom line on the new run: dog owners are excited and thrilled to have a beautiful new dog park to call their own!

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Given that this the first new dog park on Suffolk County parkland in more than eight years, it is critical that we take really good care of the park. Please make sure to pick up after your dogs and help remind others to keep the park clean and follow the rules posted on the gates.

Also, one key to making sure the new dog park is a success is to have an active volunteer park steward program. Volunteer park stewards can help keep the dog park clean and make sure fellow dog owners are aware of good dog park behavior. They also can plan social events like coffees at the dog park to bring the dog owner community together. To read about how to become a volunteer park steward, go to our Home Page and click on the article titled, Stewardship Programs Launched at Coindre Hall, West Hills and Blydenburgh Parks, or email us at lidog_news@yahoo.com for more information.

And, if you like the new dog park as much as we do, let Leg. D'Amaro, and the Suffolk County Parks Department know! Call or email Leg. D'Amaro at 631-854-4435 or lou.damaro@suffolkcountyny.gov and tell him how much you value his work on behalf of dog owners. And, call or email Parks Commissioner Ron Foley at 631-854-4984 or scparks@suffolkcountyny.gov and thank the Parks Dept. for doing such a great job on the new dog park!

WHAT'S NEXT: Given what a big deal this new dog park is to us, LI-DOG has started work on organizing an Opening Day Celebration in the Spring! We envision a ribbon cutting, brief speeches by dignitaries such as Leg. D'Amaro, an inaugural first Frisbee toss, coffee and donuts for humans, and dog cookies and water for our dogs. We're also planning a Frisbee dog demonstration. It should be lots of fun!

So far, we do not have a set date for our event, but as soon as the Parks Dept. is willing to commit to a date, we'll pass it along.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you want to help LI-DOG with the Opening of the new West Hills Dog Park, email us at lidog_news@yahoo.com. We need people to help arrange for food and drinks, make bandannas for the dogs, and publicize the event, among other tasks.

    As always, keep in touch by e-mailing us at lidog_news@yahoo.com