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Cooper Park Neighbors List Mounting Concerns

Barbecue grills and a volleyball are the first part of the park's renovation, which will include the relocation of the dog run.
Barbecue grills and a volleyball are the first part of the park's renovation, which will include the relocation of the dog run.
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NY Parks Department

WILLIAMSBURG — After much protest Cooper Park's barbecue grills are in place — but the digging only brought up more community concerns about the park.

Neighbors at Tuesday's Community Board 1 meeting lamented the eight new grills (which the Parks compromised to build instead of the 10 planned), as well as plans to relocate the dog run as part of the park's upcoming renovation.

"It can stimulate fear and excitement for the dogs," said resident Pamela Pasco of the dog run's planned new location — near a handball court and skateboarders inside the park at Morgan and Maspeth avenues. "The intent of our park should be to provide a safe haven for our dogs to run freely with their canine friends."

Pasco, a pomeranian owner spoke on behalf of about 20 Parkview Terrace homeowners living on the edge of the park, received a round of applause from her neighbors.

The residents also said they were unhappy that the grills had been built that weekend despite their protests.

But Stephanie Thayer of the Open Space Alliance and Council Member Diana Reyna's Chief of Staff Antonio Reynoso both said they were pleased with the Sunday installation of the grills, and said they were focusing on increased attention to the park.

"I've never seen Cooper Park looking this good," said Thayer.