About Hillside Dog Park
History
Old timers remember the area now called Hillside Park as Squibb Hill, named for the Squibb pharmaceutical company that formerly occupied the buildings that border the park on Columbia Heights and Vine Street. Much of the area was housing prior to construction beginning in 1946 for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and included the famous "February House" at 7 Middagh Street.
The Parks Department received ownership of the leftover land not used for the BQE, and much of this area is the Hillside Dog Park of today.
During the dark days of New York City's decline in the 1960s through the early 1990s, the area was often used for drugs, prostitution, public drinking, and other illegal activities.
For some time in the 1990s, the area was an unofficial non-enclosed dog park (with no fencing on Columbia Heights), though many local dog owners, needing park space to exercise with their dogs, carefully watched their dogs.
Today, even those who don't appreciate dogs will tell you that dog owners were an important part of bringing Hillside back from its darker days.
The half million dog owners of NYC are one of the largest park constituencies in the City, and tend to use park space more frequently than other users. The people (and dogs) that use Hillside Dog Park provide "eyes on the street" to ensure the area remains a safe place for the entire community.
Park Features
Surface:
Natural wood chips, recycled from tree pruning and Christmas trees. Regular park cleanups, including wood chip spreading are performed by volunteers and organized by Friends of Hillside Dog Park.There's also a large grass/unmanicured area towards Middagh Street and the BQE which is intentially overgrown in the summer and fall for dogs to explore their outdoor instincts.
Trees:
Twenty-four large trees. Plenty of shaded areas for owners and dogs.Seating:
Four circular benches, each accommodating up to seven people. There are three picnic tables, which can each accommodate six peopleDouble Doors
There are four entrances to Hillside Dog Park, two on Columbia Heights, and two on Vine Street. Each entrance features a double door to provide safety for dogs and their owners.Small Dog Run:
Most of the Dog Park is dedicated to dogs of any size. However, the fenced-in area bordering Vine St. and the BQE is for smaller dogs under 25 lbs. and their owners. A separate entrance into the small dog area exists on Vine Street so small dogs and their owners don't have to walk through the big dog area.Water
Two dog/human fountains. The Parks Department turns on the water source from early April through late October.Plastic Bag Dispensers and Trash Cans:
Each of the four entrances to the park has a plastic bad dispenser. Park users are encouraged to bring their unneeded plastic bags from home to fill the recycled plastic bag dispensers. Trash cans are provided for human trash and dog waste. Trash removal is provided by the Parks Dept.Bulletin Boards:
One locked glass covered bulletin board for official FHDP communication, and one open bulletin board for park users to post messages.Flower Garden :
A small shade-tolerant flower garden at the corner of Columbia Heights and Vine Street is maintained by volunteers.
Hours and Availability
Hillside is always open, and is partially illuminated at night. When it snows, the main part of Hillside is reserved for sledders. During the few days each year that it snows and sledders use the park, dogs must be kept in the small dog area.
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