Deer Park resident presents petition urging Town of Babylon to add dog park at Geiger Park

A Deer Park resident presented a petition with 665 signatures to the Babylon Town Board on Sept. 10 asking the town to add a dog park at Geiger Park.

Why it matters: Speakers said recent renovations (a water park, playground and other upgrades) left no nearby space where apartment residents and families can exercise dogs. They argued a dog park would improve public health, social interaction and community cohesion.

Karen Perrone, who said she started the petition, told the board that studies show dog parks promote exercise and socialization and that many nearby apartment residents lack private outdoor space. She said the petition supports adding an area for dogs that would not interfere with the gated water‑park or playground and shared a short video and presentation showing possible locations.

Kristen Shuster, who supported the petition, urged the board to pursue projects residents want rather than items opposed by the community.

Town response: The board asked Parks Department staff to contact Perrone for a follow‑up meeting to review her presentation and suggested the parks department would discuss feasibility in a future conversation. The transcript does not record a timeline or a formal vote on constructing a dog park.

Next step: Parks staff to meet with the petitioner and report back to the board; no formal appropriation, site selection or construction authorization was recorded in the Sept. 10 meeting.