Preservation Commission raises concerns over Grey Park dog park design

Historic amphitheater an issue

By Bob Seidenberg

Members of the city’s Preservation Commission on Tuesday sharply criticized some design features proposed for a new city dog park at Grey Park, raising concerns that the project would undermine the park’s core feature and also limit access for some current users.

Staff’s plan calls for the dog park to be constructed at the center of the park, located at Main Street and Ridge Avenue, encompassing an existing limestone amphitheater, regarded as the park’s main feature.

Officials are proposing a concrete entrance with a double gate with keypad access to lead into the dog park.

The area would be encircled by a 6-foot-high ornamental fence, Liz Dafoe, principal landscape architect on the project, said in her presentation.

Officials are working with Jonathan Nieuwsma, the Fourth Ward’s councilmember, on the project, which has a limited budget, said Stefanie Levine, the city’s senior project manager.

Design aims to bring a ‘good vibe’

Two public meetings on the project have been held.

“A lot of the feedback that we got from residents,” Dafoe told the commission, “was that currently not a lot of the community is actually going to the park other than Albany Care residents, who kind of hang out on the Maple [Avenue] side. And so they’re hoping that bringing in a dog park there will bring in more community members and kind of bring a good vibe to the park.”

In discussion, Commissioner Charles Smith noted that staff supplied the commission with materials showing 23 people had taken part in conversations about the park’s future.