Construction crews performed maintenance work on a temporary dog run in Woodlawn as plans moved forward for a permanent version of the project.

A backhoe was at the site at Van Cortlandt Park East and East 238th Street. Workers fixed a fence and laid down new woodchips, which dog owners said was needed in order to protect their pets' paws from broken glass.

After years of delays, design work is underway for the permanent $400,000 dog run. Critics of the project had expressed concern that the site might have been home to the remains of Native Americans dating back hundreds of years.

"Those concerns were thoroughly investigated to an unprecedented degree," said Councilman Andrew Cohen (D-Bronx), who championed the project. "Everybody can rest assured that there are no remains on this site." Cohen expressed frustration that money that was allocated to the project had been sitting unused.

Dog owners said they are pleased that work will proceed on a permanent dog run.

Work on the temporary dog run should be done by Monday. The permanent project should be completed in about a year and a half, said Cohen.