Historians Oppose Dog Run In Van Cortlandt Park Near Native American Memorial
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A dog run near a Native American memorial in the Bronx is an insult, according to historians.
The critics are demanding that the temporary dog run be moved farther from the memorial on the eastern edge of Van Cortlandt Park and are fighting a plan that would replace the existing pen with a $400,000 permanent enclosure.
Historical Groups Oppose Dog Run In Van Cortlandt Park Near Native American Memorial
Native Americans died near the Stockbridge Memorial in 1778 while fighting along side the patriots during the Revolutionary War, CBS 2's Elise Finch reported.
"This is the actual site where the blood was shed originally and that's very significant to not only historians, but to veterans and school children who want to learn about their history," Thomas Casey, who is the secretary for the Kingsbridge Historical Society and the East Bronx History Forum, told 1010 WINS' Sonia Rincon.
Two historical groups in the Bronx said the area is considered a sacred place to come and have a service.
"You have the dogs running around and yapping and chasing after each other," Casey said. "Then you have the remains, the urinating and defecating. It dishonors the veterans that we're trying to honor and remember."
The actual burial ground isn't at the memorial. It's believed by historians to be at an unidentified site elsewhere in the park.
Some parkgoers told Finch they agree with the historians.
"This park is disgraceful. If someone can come and fix that up it would be amazing, and move it farther away from that cause it is disrespectful," said Greg Clerkin.
Kathleen Corrigan, who takes care of the temporary dog run, is pleased with the parks department's permanent plan.
"It really is nice," Corrigan said, adding that they got approval from Native American groups and the community agreed on the plan. "There was nothing intentional here."
Most people who spoke with Finch said the only thing they find disrespectful to the memorial is the condition of the temporary dog park. They said once the area is beautified, there shouldn't be any issues at all.
"If it's pretty then nobody's going to complain about it," said Rebecca Sherman. "Right now, it doesn't look so pretty so people have something to complain about."
On Monday, the Parks Department said the the run would be separated from the memorial, and that park facilities are often located near burial grounds and memorials.
The dog run is designed to be a respectful distance from the memorial, and would be visually separated by green buffer plantings.
It is not unusual for park facilities to be located in proximity to burial grounds and memorials, but it is always necessary to be respectful in the design and construction. Although the dog run is currently adjacent to the grounds of the memorial, an archeologist will examine the site prior to finalizing the location and design.
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