As the city’s premier playground for people and pets reaches the ripe old age of 150, its newest contingency is celebrating!
The Central Barkers, a privileged group of dogs who actively support the park (vis a vis their owners) are stepping out this summer to enjoy all the amenities the park has to offer – green grass, water, and, of course, tall shady trees.
If you can’t play with the big dogs, then get off the porch! The “big dogs” are pet-trimmed standard poodles and a miniature poodle with a continental cut. And the “porch” is New York’s Central Park. They ask only that you abide by the policies of the park that regulate the expanses of lawn on which they are free to roam without the constraints of a leash before 9 am.
Jewel, Diamonds, and DJ, the standard poodles, and Goody, the miniature with the continental cut, guide me through Central Park in the hours just before New York City wakes and the whirl of the city hits full speed. We (the dogs and I) are escorted into the park by Karen LeFrak and Barbara Green, Board member and member of the Central Barkers. Central Barkers is an organization of dog-lovers who support the park because it’s a playground for their pets.
LeFrak and Green take advantage of the early morning when their dogs are free to run, fetch sticks from the ponds, and socialize with other dogs while they lag behind to enjoy the scenery and the company of fellow dog-lovers. The Barkers are very aware of the benefits these freedoms bring to their dogs, and they are committed to maintaining the sanctity of this freedom through fundraising and public outreach. Funds raised by Central Barkers through the annual $100 per dog membership go toward the funding of the daily operations of Central Park.
On our morning jaunt through the Rambles, a wooded area favored by Barkers, LeFrak and Green spread their mantra among fellow dog-walkers as part of Central Barkers’ public outreach. They promote dialogue with park-users that lead to an awareness of the Park’s policies, and the importance of upholding them. “Green is sacred,” explains LeFrak to a stroller who complains of the historically anti-dog attitude of those who enforce Central Park’s policies. LeFrak elaborates on this simple notion as the understanding that dogs and dog-owners must have in order to maintain their current freedoms in the park. This includes picking up after your pet and keeping them away from areas that are restricted. “Dog people were second-class citizens,” explains Green. Through positive dialogue with lawmakers, however, the reputation of dogs and their owners has improved. “Now,” adds LeFrak, “the dog walking community is a classless society.” The Central Barkers provides this society with a voice that has opened communication with policy makers.
Central Barkers is a division of the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy that raises funds for Central Park in various ways, including tree plantings and park bench dedications.
Central Barkers membership includes a yearly event where dogs and dog-owners choose a route through Central Park on which to make their proud march. Central Barkers’ dogs sport a green leash with “Central Barkers” scripted in bold letters. The organization also boasts Celebrity Barkers, such as Lola and Mabel Bloomberg, Dodo Trump, Pici Vittadini, and Truffle Soros.
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