St. Nicks Dog Run: Happy 2009 - Coffee Bark to continue in Spring - Tips for Winter

Happy New Year's! The Friends want to thank the St. Nick's Dog Run community in helping keep our dog run one of the best in the city. Our popular St. Nick's Dog Run Coffee Barks will continue in the Spring. Look out for our emails announcing the first one for 2009!
During the winter, fewer dogs and owners may use the dog run but it still sees a lot of action. Below are some tips for what you can do to help us maintain our beautiful dog run.

Help keep the dog run clean and neat by:

- Bringing extra poop bags to fill our dispensers.

- Picking up trash (even if it's not yours).

- Picking up poop (even if it's not your dog's).

- Picking up stray cigarette butts.

- Picking up glass whenever you see it

- Volunteer on a Clean-up Day. (we always send out notices when we schedule them). Email us at dogpark@stnicholaspark.org if you like to be added to our list.

- Respect the rules of the Dog Run and work with other members of this great dog- owning community.

Contribute financially to support ongoing maintenance as well as future improvements to the dog run.

TO DONATE to St. Nick's Dog Run:

Step 1: Write a check made out to: City Parks Foundation

In the memo of the check be sure to write "Friends of St. Nicholas Park"

Step 2: Mail the check with a cover letter describing your donation to St. Nicholas Park to:

Friends Of St. Nicholas Park
P.O. Box 195
New York, NY 10030

RIP Kansas

St. Nick's Dog Run is sad to learn about the passing of Kansas. Kansas and his Dad were one of the Dog Run regulars who helped plan, create and built our dog run. We will miss Kansas dearly. The photo above was sent by Kansas's Dad. He says "I love the attached picture of him in the dog run. Looks like he is about to get in trouble."

Josh Greenberg, Kansas's Dad, write us a message below:

All,

It is with much sadness that I am writing to let you all know about the passing of Kansas. For those of you that don't know him, Kansas was the happy yellow Lab, that had a passion for searching the run for all things that dogs aren't supposed to eat and trying to be romantic whenever he could. About a month and a half ago he was diagnosed with what the vet thought was cancer and unfortunately that turned out to be correct. Kansas was great up until about last week but as is true for most of us the illness caught up with him. Earlier this week I made the decision to have him put to sleep and of course being the stubborn Lab that he was, he decided to trump me by passing away this morning, a mere 4 hours before our vet appointment.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has asked about Kansas recently. You and your dogs were all key in making his life more enjoyable, especially near the end. I know he is in a better place because he deserves to be.

Thanks again.

Josh

Holiday Tree Lighting brings Cheer During Chilly Evening

On Saturday night the Friends of St. Nicholas Park hosted their annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting. Below is a link to some of the photos of the event. By the time our entertainment and activities ended, we had a brilliantly lit tree and very little cider or hot chocolate left.

Click here to view more photos of the event!

We want to call out a few individuals who helped make our event happen.

Special thanks to:

Risa Rottenberg who organized this year's event.

Michael Jones, who played Santa Claus.

Our Arts and Crafts staff, Laurel Peacock and Susan Mende.

Waldron Rick who entertained us with his brilliant trumpet playing.

The Dorothy Maynor Singers, and Byron McCray at Harlem School for the Arts.

The members of the Friends of St. Nicholas Park who volunteered and helped make this event possible including Julia, Carola, Josh, Adrien and William.

St. Mark's Church for providing their kitchen and tables. Without St. Mark's our events could not happen.

Tamara Tunie for giving another inspiring performance to get everyone into the Holiday spirit.

The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and all those who have made donations to the Friends of St. Nicholas Park throughout the year.

December Coffee Bark - warm coffee helps the winter chill!

Eventhough it is not officially winter, the crowd at St. Nick's Dog Run were mighty chilly this morning. The dogs didn't seem to feel the winter in the air as there were lots of playing, etc.

Pictured above: Josh with Kansas

December Coffee Bark this Saturday Dec 6th from 9am-11am

The St. Nick's Dog Run Coffee Bark happens this Saturday, December 6th from 9am-11am. Come kick off the holiday season at the Dog Run with some coffee, donuts and fun while socializing with fellow dog owners and discussing issues concerning St. Nicholas Park and St. Nick's Dog Run. The St. Nick's Dog Run is located in the middle of St. Nicholas Park between 136th and 137th streets. If you are interested in volunteering for the Coffee Bark, contact us at info@stnicholaspark.org

HELP KEEP ST. NICK'S DOG RUN THE BEST IN NEW YORK!

Please help keep our Coffee Barks running. Donate to the St. Nick's Dog Run by filling out the form here and mailing it to the Friends!

http://www.stnicholaspark.org/PDFs/TreeOrnamentFundraising.pdf

The Friends of St. Nicholas Park will hang an ornament with your dog's name on it for a donation of $10 or more.