Large Mud Hole At Dog Park Sparks Ire

PECONIC, NY — In a real-life scene straight out of "Parks and Recreation," there's a large mud-filled hole in the Peconic dog park that would even give Leslie Knope, the popular TV show's beleaguered public servant, pause.

The source of the concern is an incline and a hole, filled with mud, at the dog park on Peconic Lane, residents say. On rainy days, that section of the park fills with water to such an extent that some members of a Facebook page devoted to the dog park have started calling the tract "Dog Park Lake."

Dawn Camis Bennett, former president of the North Fork Animal Welfare League, said the issue is problematic.

"The park is heavily utilized now with lots of dog owners and their dogs. The only upgrades that been done, I believe, were paid for in full by private donor. It would be nice of a little attention was put into the dog park, as many local residents use this daily, especially some elderly people who cannot walk the dogs and enjoy the social and exercise.The hole could be filled with sand and mulch — it doesn't necessarily need to be grass."

She added, "This is the only place the dogs can run off leash safely and it should be better equipped. We are very thankful for the expansion of the dog park but would like to see it a little more attention to much needed upgrades."

Bennett also said the town had not addressed the issue.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, however, said neither Bennett nor any residents had reached out with concerns; the first he'd heard of the problem was through a request for comment from a reporter.

"Winter weather and rainy springs wreak havoc on the grounds. The weather's changing and I'm sure we can have everything tidied up soon," he said.

Some have asked if there was once a skate park, with cement, on the site, which would explain the drainage issues that have erupted. Russell said no skate park ever existed at the location.

At the dog park Thursday, residents weighed in on the large expanse of mud. Michael Wengryn said the large tract of mud was not an issue for his dog Trey, but some pups liked to roll around and get dirty.

"It's horrible," said Tony Spartalis of Cutchogue, who is known as the unofficial "mayor of the dog park" and visits often with his dog Kaya.

However, he added that since his dog didn't tend to want to get dirty, it didn't make much of an impact on his visits. And he said he wanted to thank the town for installing a recent solar-powered light above the new gazebo.

Georgeann Packard of Mattituck said the only option she could see would be to fill the hole with sand. But, she added residents would likely have to live with it, something that didn't cause much worry. "I've got bigger fish to fry," she said.

A dry well might be an option, some residents said.

Main photo, Patch courtesy photo.