Tenafly dogs finally getting a park of their own

Ricardo Kaulessar | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Conservation dogs find invasive species in Mahwah Joshua Beese, Conservation Dog Handler, is shown during a demonstration at the NY/NJ Trail Conference, in Mahwah. Wednesday, November 20, 2019

TENAFLY — After a lot of barking by humans, dogs are about to get their own park in Tenafly.

The $50,000 park, which will operate at the site of the old Tenafly Swim Club on Grove Street, will have two fenced areas to start — one each for large and small dogs — and could someday feature a wading pool for pups.

The council approved the site in July by a 4-3 vote, marking the end of years of intense debate by council members and residents.

Mayor Peter Rustin, a dog owner, was one of the four votes in favor of the park. He is hopeful for an opening "in the next couple of weeks," he said.

"I'd hoped we would be open by now," Rustin said. "I really think it's something really nice for the community. There are lots of dogs."

The dog park will join others operating across Bergen County, including in Montvale, Leonia, Ridgewood, Glen Rock and Westwood.

More: Tenafly's longtime mayor ousted by rival who knocked on thousands of doors

More: Tenafly Planning Board Hears Plan for Liquor Store

Rustin said the old swimming pool needs to be fenced off for safety. He also hopes that a smaller kiddie pool can someday be used as a wading pool for dogs.

Councilman Jeff Grossman said the Department of Public Works, which will be responsible for the maintenance of the park, is waiting for an installation date from the fence company. After the fencing is installed, material will be put down within a couple of days.

Resident Christine Evron, who heads the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce, has been advocating for a dog park for at least 10 years, specifically at a location near Foster Road and the borough's community gardens, which would have been great for business in the downtown, she said.

But she is glad that one will finally be in town.

"I'm extremely pleased that we found a site for a dog park," Evron said.

Rustin and Evron said residents will raise money to add amenities into the park.

Tenafly's swim club declared bankruptcy and shut in 2015. Subsequently, it was considered as a site for a community center.

Ricardo Kaulessar is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com Twitter: @ricardokaul