By Dan Murphy
Concerned residents and seniors who attend the Bernice Spreckman Community Center at 777 McLean Avenue, have circulated a petiiton against the construction of a Dog Park behind the senior center at Coyne Park. “We are respectfully asking, for a moratorium of all construction until there is a hearing of community stakeholders regarding the construction of the dog park at 777 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704, Coyne Park/Bernice Speckman Community Center.
“We are asking (15 City officials, elected and parks staff) to immediately stop executing the plans to construct a dog run (dog park) adjacent to the indoor community center and instead move the dog park to an empty lot across the green park area. Please be aware currently that several seniors are affected by allergies from Domestic pets, dogs being in that category, and this current plan is negligent of the medical conditions of seniors and children. We are asking that the dog run/dog park not be placed within 300 feet of the Bernice Spreckman Center at 777 McLean Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704 indoor space. We believe the Bernice Speckman Center is under the jurisdiction of the City of Yonkers, per https://www.yonkersny.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation-conservation/parks-facilities/senior-centers.
“We are respectfully asking that you please move the dog park to a location where it will not interfere with the health of immune-compromised individuals such as Senior Citizens and Pre-school aged children. Whereas, let us highlight, already, the city has been negligent in providing reasonable accommodations for seniors who have needs based on disabilities. We have not been litigious while we wait for our needs to be met. We are currently, engaging in high risk adjustments, while the city works diligently to get the building up to code, which should be the priority since it is a health and safety issues, as well as, a liability issue.
Whereas, the community is unaware of any town hall meeting that was scheduled to actively solicit community support and input for the location and the proposed planning and development changes.
The reasons to approve this moratorium of the dog park construction are as follows:
• Many of the active senior citizens are immune compromised and allergic to dogs. This is a severe health issue that may prohibit a senior citizen from attending their senior program and cause greater hospitalization and medication intake to maintain proper respiratory health.
• During a pandemic that causes respiratory distress, seniors who are a high-risk category believe that the City of Yonkers is creating undue risk for those senior citizens that are immune compromised and have underlying conditions with the placement of this dog park/dog run. With the ventilation system there are concerns due to COVID and the dog park being so close to the building.
• The gazebo is near the dog park and the smell of urine and feces will become problematic
• Boccie may cause the dogs to bark, therefore disrupting the peace and creating undue stress for all individuals in the community.
• The parking lot is small, and parking is an issue during events without the addition of dog owners.
• The building and bathroom are not handicap accessible and seniors with walkers and wheelchairs must leave them in the hallway, this creates issues.
• The front doors are heavy and a senior with a walker or wheelchair cannot enter the building without assistance
• Two water fountains are full of rust
• The air conditioner ducts have not been cleaned and there are concerns due to COVID
• There is a specific spot between the pool room that three senior citizens have fallen and required medical attention
The needs that should be prioritized are as follows:
• Create a door that is easy for seniors to open.
• Create bathrooms that are accessible to all.
• Create water dispensing machines that are accessible and healthy for everyone.
• Proactively test all ventilation systems because immune compromised populations share the space.
• There should be proper sanitizing equipment within the facility, especially during COVID
• There needs to be better signage for the location of the defibrillator
Thank you for your attention to these matters and actions to rectify the concerns that were highlighted in this petition.”
City Councilman John Rubbo, who represents McLean Avenue, responded by highlighting the recent improvements that have been made at the Spreckman Center. “Over the last 2 budget cycles, I have set aside $575,000 for both interior and exterior work at Coyne Park/Bernice Spreckman Community Center.
Exterior:
-the entire exterior of the building has been painted
-water corroded the outer wall along one of the gutters (repaired)
-cracked and unusable shuffleboard court was removed to make way for a gazebo
-24’ x 40’ gazebo for outdoor seating. It will be equipped with lighting and electricity
-new picnic benches
-new barbeque grill
-rebuilt the existing bocci ball court
-adding a small dog run along the building with play equipment
-outdoor exercise equipment will be installed for fitness
-landscaping around the entire rear portion of the building
-once inaccessible to the public, this area will now be available to the public when the senior citizens and Little Learners are not using this space
Interior:
-automatic doors
-handicap ramps
-ADA compliant bathrooms
-complete cleaning of the HVAC system
-rebuilding the stage for senior citizens shows/performances
-upgrades to amenities and utilities
We need to maintain city property, otherwise, the cost to repair and improve these properties becomes unbearable. These improvements will last for many decades! My hope is that both interior and exterior projects will be fully complete by Spring 2021,” said Rubbo.
