Alfonso Quiroz Calls for Dog Park in Travers Park

Community activist and candidate for New York City Council Alfonso Quiroz today joined the Jackson Heights Responsible Dog Owners to call on the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to create a dog park in Jackson Heights.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an animal lover, and my two pups, Bruno and Stella, are the center of my world,” Quiroz said. “Unfortunately, in Jackson heights, there’s a lack of a play area for our dogs. When Travers Park was redesigned, there was no thought to animal owners or their four-legged family members.”

Quiroz added, “the Park’s department has even been kicking out and fining people when they spend a couple of hours at night in one of the fenced-in areas. This has to stop. We deserve an area for our dogs to run around, and we won’t stop until we have one. We need to have a permanent area designated as a dog-run in Travers Park. We deserve it and our four-legged family members deserve it as well.”

Quiroz released this video about the effort.

Quiroz also encouraged residents to sign the Jackson Heights Responsible Dog Owners’s petition urging the creation of a dog park in Travers Park: https://www.change.org/p/establish-dedicated-dog-park-in-travers-park-jackson-heights-queens

Quiroz is running on the Democratic line- he is first on the ballot - in the June 22 Democratic primary for the District 25 New York City Council seat representing Jackson Heights and Elmhurst.

Earlier today, Quiroz announced the endorsement of former New York State Senator and New York City Councilmember Thomas Duane, one of the first openly gay men to be elected to the New York City Council 30 years ago. He also has been endorsed by New York State Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell, LGBTQ Victory Fund, Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, former New York State Governor David Paterson, more than 100 other LGBTQ New Yorkers, and the United Probation Officers Association.

Quiroz is a former president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Queens. He is vice president of the JFK Democratic Club and a member of the Queens Theater board, the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, and the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. As the founder of the 37th Avenue Sidewalk Cafe Coalition, he advocated for the expansion of outdoor dining along 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights.

In his neighborhood, Quiroz has served as deputy chief of staff to former Councilmember Helen Sears and is a former Democratic district leader in Queens. He was a White House intern when President Clinton was in office and served as a field organizer for Al Gore's 2000 campaign. Learn more Alfonso Quiroz’s stances on issues.

Alfonso Quiroz is proud to have support from more than 100 LGBTQ individuals, including several former Board Presidents at Stonewall Democrats, small business owners, community leaders, and everyday New Yorkers.

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