Hempstead Town opens its first dog park for residents’ pets

Hempstead officials opened the town’s first dog park Wednesday in Bellmore.

Supervisor Anthony Santino held a ribbon-cutting for the Newbridge Road Park canine play area, which features a drainage system and synthetic turf surface. The dog park is surrounded by a chain-link fence.

The facility is one of few dog parks along the South Shore, joining one at Nassau County’s Nickerson Beach in Lido Beach.

The town’s 14,025-square-foot dog park in Bellmore includes ramps, weave poles for dogs to run through, hurdles and water fountains for dogs. Santino called it a “state-of-the-art facility” open for all town residents and their pets.

“This is a great destination where dogs can play, socialize, burn off excess energy and share some quality time with their furry and human companions,” Santino said in a statement. “We are excited to unveil the Town of Hempstead’s first dog park ... now open and free for all town residents and their dogs.”

The dog park, built with $188,000 of town funds, will be open daily from 7 a.m. until dark. Dog owners must provide vaccination records and a Hempstead Town dog license to use the facility. No aggressive dogs, unspayed females in heat or puppies younger than 4 months old are permitted and dogs cannot be left unattended. All dogs must be leashed when outside or leaving the dog park. All children younger than 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Officials said the dog park is needed to give canines open areas to run free to improve their social temperament at home.

Newbridge Road Park also includes several sports fields and courts, as well as an outdoor pool and indoor ice rink. The dog park is at the south end of the park.

For more information, park officials can be reached at 516-783-2500.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.