Woof. The organizer of the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade has called off the event after a ruff time trying to cover all the administrative costs.
“PARADE HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE,” the website for the dog run reads atop the homepage. For what would have been its 33rd annual puppy parade, organizers told Gothamist that planning logistics for the event had gotten out of hand.
Joseph Borduin, who has organized the beloved event for the last four years, said he withdrew the necessary street closure applications Tuesday evening after spending weeks trying to sort out nearly $50,000 in permitting and insurance costs for the event in coordination with City Councilmember Carlina Rivera’s office and several city agencies.
“I’m done. I do not work like this,” Borduin said in an interview while recalling the bureaucratic back-and-forth with various agencies that ultimately sank the annual canine competition. “This is the most unorganized and craziest thing I’ve ever tried to do.”
Due to construction in the park that would force the event onto the street, thereby complicating logistics, Borduin had initially decided to cancel the event in the Spring, with plans to make an announcement later in the year, he said. Not only would Borduin have to figure out the new layout, but he would have to apply to close down several city blocks through the city’s Street Activity Permit Office, which charged him $5,000 to close only one last year, he told Gothamist.
“I’m just trying to raise money for the dog park, not pay the city and parks department all the money,” said Borduin, whose email signature reads, “Head Pooper Scooper @ The Tompkins Square Dog Run.”
He added, “I’m a volunteer. I don’t even get paid for this. So I was like, yeah, let’s cancel it. Can’t do it. It’s just gotten too big, too much.”
Last month, Rivera’s office reached out to Borduin, ensuring the show would go on and that they would work to help him secure…
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