Lucky dogs in Carroll Gardens will be lapping from the lap of luxury when two new cast-iron “doggie drinking fountains” arrive at DiMattina Playground.
The city is planning a $450,000 makeover for the downtrodden dog run that calls for doubling the size of the small pooch park, repairing its badly-cracked concrete surface, adding landscaping and lighting, and replacing an old spigot currently shared by humans and canines with dog-only fountains featuring cast-iron bowls specially made for Fido.
Oh, and there will be two water fountains for people, too.
“It’s really exciting,” said dog-owning neighbor Kristina Ivy, who frequents the park with her canine pal Gritz.
The project — funded fifty-fifty by Borough President Markowitz and Councilman Brad Lander (D–Park Slope) — is a long-awaited upgrade for pup owners in Carroll Gardens, who have few other nearby off-leash options and say they sometimes trek to Red Hook and Park Slope for open spaces where there’s no risk of tripping over cracked cement.
The city installed the dog run at Hicks Street and Hamilton Avenue 16 years ago as part of a renovation at the playground — but it was never in great shape, according to longtime park-goers.
A spokeswoman for the Parks Department said the work would also include “separate spaces for large and small dogs,” “security lighting” and new fences and benches.
The agency does not yet have a target completion date and the plan must still go before Community Board 6 for approval.
“I just hope they fix it quickly,” Ivy said. “We need a good water source — for everybody.”
Reach reporter Natalie O'Neill at noneill@cnglocal.com or by calling her at (718) 260-4505.
