Letter to the Commissioner
The following was sent to Commissioner Benepe on 9/26
September 25, 2006
Commissioner Adrian Benepe
City of New York/Department of Parks and Recreation The Arsenal 830 5th Avenue New York, NY 10021
Dear Commissioner Benepe:
New York City Audubon urges you to enforce the leash code that protects the natural areas and Forever Wild areas within city parks.
As you know, NYC Audubon is a grassroots community of over 10,000 members that works for the protection of wild birds and their habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Over the years, many of our members have shared stories about unleashed dogs trampling vegetation in natural areas. NYC Audubon is also aware that unleashed dogs subject birds and other wildlife to undue stress and occasionally unintended death. Unchecked, this problem leads to severe habitat degradation in all parks but particularly in Central, Prospect, Marine, and Pelham Bay Parks.
NYC Audubon believes strongly that birds and wildlife in our parks should not be subject to harassment by dogs. Nor should our members and others who enjoy viewing birds and wildlife have their enjoyment disrupted by free-running dogs.
Throughout your tenure with NYC Parks you have been a friend of birders and an advocate for birds. You have also shown an ability to create win-win solutions.
NYC Audubon counts on you to enforce the leash code that protects the natural environment, while considering the needs of New York City's dog owners. We will follow this issue closely to see how it develops.
Sincerely,
E. J. McAdams
Executive Director
E. J. McAdams
Executive Director
New York City Audubon
71 West 23rd Street, Room 1523
New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 691-7483
Fax: (212) 924-3870
ejmcadams@nycaudubon.org
www.nycaudubon.org
September 25, 2006
Commissioner Adrian Benepe
City of New York/Department of Parks and Recreation The Arsenal 830 5th Avenue New York, NY 10021
Dear Commissioner Benepe:
New York City Audubon urges you to enforce the leash code that protects the natural areas and Forever Wild areas within city parks.
As you know, NYC Audubon is a grassroots community of over 10,000 members that works for the protection of wild birds and their habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Over the years, many of our members have shared stories about unleashed dogs trampling vegetation in natural areas. NYC Audubon is also aware that unleashed dogs subject birds and other wildlife to undue stress and occasionally unintended death. Unchecked, this problem leads to severe habitat degradation in all parks but particularly in Central, Prospect, Marine, and Pelham Bay Parks.
NYC Audubon believes strongly that birds and wildlife in our parks should not be subject to harassment by dogs. Nor should our members and others who enjoy viewing birds and wildlife have their enjoyment disrupted by free-running dogs.
Throughout your tenure with NYC Parks you have been a friend of birders and an advocate for birds. You have also shown an ability to create win-win solutions.
NYC Audubon counts on you to enforce the leash code that protects the natural environment, while considering the needs of New York City's dog owners. We will follow this issue closely to see how it develops.
Sincerely,
E. J. McAdams
Executive Director
E. J. McAdams
Executive Director
New York City Audubon
71 West 23rd Street, Room 1523
New York, NY 10010
Phone: (212) 691-7483
Fax: (212) 924-3870
ejmcadams@nycaudubon.org
www.nycaudubon.org
