LONG ISLAND CITY — The rules for where dogs are allowed in Hunters Point's waterfront parks can be murky for pet owners, with some saying they've been scolded for letting their pooch roam in a spot where they're actually permitted.
The confusion specifically revolves around a small, hilly area of grass in Hunters Point South Park next to the turf field where pups are technically allowed, though some, including some Parks Department workers, mistakenly believe they aren't, locals say.
"They say if you touch the grass, you're going to get a penalty," said Nancy Fan, who was walking her yorkie through the park on a recent weekday. She said she's been reprimanded by park staffers in the past for letting the dog on the grass.
"They don't allow me to do that," she said.
Leashed dogs are allowed in most areas of Hunters Point South Park, with the exception of the synthetic turf field, the sand beach, playground and basketball court, according to a Parks Department spokeswoman.
They are allowed on the grass area, which is adjacent to the turf field and outdoor cafe LIC Landing, the spokeswoman said.
In Gantry Plaza State Park, pooches are permitted in the garden, the stone plaza area and on Pier #1, according to the park's website. They're banned from the remainder of the park north of Pier #1 and from its remaining three piers.
The myriad rules for pet owners inspired DOG LIC, a group of local dog owners, and the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy to print up thousands of postcards last summer that list exactly where dogs are allowed to go, which they distributed in local restaurants and other venues.
Still, some say confusion persists — particularly over the grass in Hunters Point South Park. Though there's a "No Pets" sign to let users know to stay off the turf, it's perched on the edge of the grass area, leading some to believe it means dogs are banned there.
"The Parks people don't all understand the sign," said Elizabeth Murdocca, who was walking her dog Spriggs in the park recently. "They're very unclear."
A Parks Department spokeswoman said that the sign is staked in the grass since it's not possible to stake it into the turf field itself, and that the agency will look into getting a sign that's more specific. She also said they will remind Parks staffers about the rules for the space.
Michael Kaplan, who lives in the neighborhood and frequently walks his dog Pancakes there, said he's been yelled at twice by Parks workers for going on the grass, and reprimanded other times by other park-goers.
"There's this weird hostility between certain people with dogs on grassy areas," he said.
He recently posted about his experience on the DOG LIC Facebook page, sparking a debate over whether or not dogs should be permitted on the grass.
Mark Christie, vice president for the volunteer group Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, said they've had trouble keeping the lawn healthy in the past because of dogs doing their business there.
"There are spots that are being destroyed by dog urine," he said, saying while dogs are allowed to walk on the grass, he'd prefer they go to the bathroom elsewhere. "I want the public to enjoy the park also."
