Dogs & Owners Sit & Beg as New Off-Leash Dog Park Construction Lags
Anxious pooches with pacing paws wagged their tails in excitement when the first L.A. off-leash dog park in a county-run park was announced mid-summer. After funding for the Crescenta Valley Dog Park was approved on July 26, construction was slated for August. September is nearing its end, and groundbreaking has yet to begin. The park remains halted in the plan check phase.
So what's stalling this canine wonderland? “The dog park runs parallel to the wash, which is flood control property,” said Cheryl Davis, president of the Crescenta Valley Town Council, according to Montrose Patch. “It needs to go to plan check to make sure everything is OK with access in and out for flood control purposes.” With the planning commission's conservative five-month estimate until construction commencement, it sounds like dogs will have to tuck their enthusiasm between their legs until 2012.
“Once they get started, it could take less time that,” Davis said. “We’re still hoping it opens in spring of next year.” Once the plan check phase is completed, a conceptual rendering of the dog park will be released. Davis explains that "if they have to move any of the fencing then they will also have to move any of the features. They want to wait for the plan check phase to be completed.”
The 1.5 acre park will feature decomposed granite and wood chip surfacing, separate entrances for small and large dogs, drinking fountains, water faucets, hose-down stations for dirty pooches, shady areas, walkways and benches for owners.
