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Dog park in Calverton named after Mattituck Golden Doodle

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | The Mattituck Golden Doodle Isaac, 2, with his family Sierra (from left), Ben, mother Margaret Savercol and father Lewis Topper and Move the Animal Shelter president Denise Lucas of Riverhead.

The long-awaited dog park at EPCAL in Calverton opened Saturday morning to the happy pants of about 50 dogs as the gate to the park was “unleashed.”

Jerry Bilinski of Riverhead was one of the first to arrive with his three rescue dogs: Petey, 5, a Chihuahua; Ozzie, 13, a Cock-a-poo; and Lucy, 3, a Maltese/Yorkie. Mr. Bilinski said he thought the dog park was long overdue for the community.

“Having lived part of the time in the city, as well as out here, we got to appreciate the way dog parks help socialize dogs and become a community meeting place for people,” he said. “We have this fence mentality for dogs here on Long Island, which creates a lack of socialism. Dogs are social animals. Dog parks are a place where dogs learn to play and hopefully become better behaved.”

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