About Friends of
Hillside Dog Park, Inc.

Mission Statement
Friends of Hillside Dog Park, Inc, (FHDP), is an all-volunteer community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Hillside Dog Park in Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO. We are the officially recognized advocacy group, representing the people who use the Dog Park with the surrounding communities, and the Parks Department which owns the land. FHDP promotes responsible dog ownership through education, advocacy and awareness of relevant issues, and activism to ensure that Hillside Dog Park remains a valuable recreational resource and an asset to the surrounding communities and the entire city.

History
Friends of Hillside Dog Park was formed when Hillside became an official NYC dog run in 2001. Soon thereafter, FHDP became a New York State registered and IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit charity corporation.

Structure
FHDP is made up of corporate officers and other volunteers who comprise the steering committee.In addition, there are also a variety of volunteer committees dealing with cleanup, special projects, mediation among dog owners, special events,and NYCDog representation,

Past Achievements
Circular tree benches, picnic tables, creation of the small dog run, construction of fencing, planting of trees, organization of park cleanups, garbage cans, plastic bag dispensers, group dog training clinics, bulletin boards, online newsgroup, fundraising for park improvement, community advocacy, and off-leash advocacy.

Short-term Goals

  • A water source and dog fountains (Completed May 2007)
  • Regular park cleanups
  • Double doors on entrance gates (Completed October 2006)
  • Advocacy to preserve the City's successful 20-year Offleash Hours policy against legal threats. (Success! NYS Supreme Court declares Off-leash Hours policy legal on 11/30/06. NYC Health Board amends City "Leash Law" on 12/5/06 to formalize Off-leash Hours. Read more here: www.NYCoffleash.com

Longer-term Goals

  • Regular Dog Park cleanups
  • Metered Parking along Vine Street (in progress)
  • Dog agility equipment
  • A sight and noise barrier along the BQE chain-link fence
  • Circular bench renovation and weatherproofing (scheduled for Spring 2007)
  • Ongoing advocacy with the Parks Dept and local authorities

Volunteer!
FHDP is looking for committee members and volunteers.
Send an email to: info@hillsidedogs.org.

Donate!
Your tax deductible contribution goes to help improve Hillside Park and to advocate for its continued existence as one of the best dog parks in the City.

Contact FHDP
We would like to hear from you. Here's how to contact Friends of Hillside Dog Park.