Dog Run Proposal In Hoboken Causes Controversy: Meeting Monday

HOBOKEN, NJ — After Hoboken was quiet for seven seconds last week, a new controversy reared its furry head: Hudson County is considering putting a dog run in one of the largest parks in town that doesn't have one, and reactions are mixed.

A petition — which includes a photo of a possibly contrarian dog who's against dog runs —reads, "Columbus Park is a beautiful historic park located in Hoboken, NJ and its history and nature must be preserved. Recent conversations have brought to our attention the possibility of a Dog Park/Dog Run being installed at the park. This will damage the beauty and history of the park, cause unnecessary disruption for local residents."

Right now, the county park has a toddler playground, a playground for larger children, tennis courts, a gazebo, and plenty of grass.

Some dog owners have come out against the run.

"There are already several dog run options in the neighborhood and it is just as rewarding to have our pup socialize with other pups and people ON LEASH at Columbus," wrote one mom and dog owner on the petition. "I’d hate for any of the available space to be earmarked for something that can be considered an unnecessary addition."

A post about the meeting in the Hoboken Dog Lovers' Facebook group drew complaints from dog owners that it's really meant to keep them from walking their dogs in other parts of the park. Two members said kids urinate and defecate in the park and public places too.

Residents have said that the measure was proposed because parents complained to County Commissioner Anthony Romano (who's also Hoboken's part-time public safety advisor) about dogs in the grass.

The city of Hoboken said the meeting about the proposed park will be held in person at 6 p.m. Monday at the gazebo in the park. The rain location will be Hoboken High School.

Hoboken has nine public dog runs, ranging from the small park near the 14th Street Viaduct to a pair of parks — one for large dogs and a second for small dogs — in centrally located Church Square Park.

Earlier this year, that dog run (pictured below) was subject to controversy when a local pastor said that the dogs there were making noise at all hours of the night. The dog run is located across the street from his church.

READ MORE: Should Dog Runs Be Open 24 Hours?

Woof, woof, check this out: You can get a free daily newsletter each morning at 6 a.m. with Hoboken news, or get breaking news alerts: Sign up with your zip code here and you'll get an email asking for your preferences.

Get a free morning newsletter with news in any New Jersey town: https://patch.com/subscribe