Can we address the dog park issue?
WeHo built a big, beautiful and very expensive library and upgraded the park next to it with nothing more than a big parking lot and a lot of steps up to yet another new path, some additional sand for the kids and a couple of jelly beans one cannot eat or climb on.
I know we have an artistic array of characters who reside in and are attracted to WeHo, not to mention the addicted lot who frequent the Abbey bar (leave off the “grill” between Friday and Monday as not many go for eats). The Abbey is all about the flamboyant drunken affair, which keeps me up until about 2:30 a.m.
Where is our dog park?
If you walk past the homes in our neighborhood you will see signs about “curbing your dog.” You’ll also see dog poop on lawns and sidewalks. It’s looking and smelling much like Runyon Canyon here.
As a dog owner, I’m not as worried about the signs, or the dog poop. I’m more worried about the evidence there are more and more dogs in the City of WeHo (especially small ones) and absolutely no place to park them other than a 50-foot park behind the Sunset Tower Hotel, which is inhabited by large pit bulls.
I’m sure I’m not alone in my thoughts. I want to know why the city is in such denial about the subject of a dog park.
Let me participate in a solution:
Currently, the perfect spot for a park would be the triangle on San Vicente Boulevard adjacent to Ashcroft below Dorrington. Someone uprooted the beautiful little co-op there over two years ago. It was there one day and gone the next. Supposedly something was slated to be built there, but the lot is still an empty weed garden.
We could have a great dog park on the north portion of the lawn, which is currently only used during Gay Pride when it is ruined and needs city funds to be re-planted. People already let their dogs run without a leash there.
There should be no worry about loitering. There is plenty of that already going on along both sides of the block on Robertson Boulevard, which are designated locations for recovery. I think it’s wonderful that people have a place to sort things out. Come to WeHo, get stupid drunk at the Abbey and then go down the street and get recovery.
Is there a solution for those who are past that stage and want to take a walk to the local dog park?
We have several fabulous locations for a dog park. Until we designate one, WeHo will remain a free-for-all “poop garden.”
So, again, my question for you: Where is our dog park?
well said, thank you, Melitza! a couple of commenters blaming the people who successfully fought the plan that would have destroyed over 50 old growth trees in Plummer Park for the absence of a dog park is ludicrous. all of us who opposed the master plan that would have leveled the park to put in underground parking were very clear that we supported other elements of the plan and ALL of its stated goals. and we have begged to participate in the process for years now. there was and is nothing stopping the city from creating an off-leash dog area,… Read more »
As one of the people involved in the planning for the ‘dog park at plummer park’, I was completely disappointed by what has happened. Granted, there were problems with the Plummer Park scheme as it was laid out, there was general agreement regarding the placement, size and scope of the dog element. I maintain that, if enough community actually organized to make the park happen, it could in the short term. That would take a leader to start the ball rolling. I am not that person. There are, however, several people on the Plummer Park savior group who are also… Read more »
Timothy – Thank
you.
Way to go Timothy…progress is being made today!
If funding is an issue, I would be willing to supply pet waste stations at cost. I allot certain amount of funds for full donations, but I’m all out for the year. I can supply a couple of different brands, like Doggie Walk and Dogipot. http://www.QualityPetWasteStations.com
Mr. Bergstein: “The City had a dog park planned for Plummer Park…and the Eastside is a very dog friendly part of town with lots o’ doggie companions. But then the “save plummer park” derided the plans for the park, Governor Brown took back all of The City’s redevelopment funding, so now it’s all up in the air.” Save Plummer Park didn’t “deride” the plans the city had. Mere derision would not have done it. And the state did not take away the money because of Plummer Park which you do imply in your “comment”. Frankly you sound like a tea… Read more »
I agree and I do not have dogs. Where can you run a dog in WeHo? Dogs need to run – they are balls of energy and love to sniff and nose and feel grass under their feet. Why don’t we have decent dog parks throughout dog friendly WeHo? They are spoken of and promised but as an observer – I don’t see any and I don’t see why. Quick as wink you will get cited on the leash law – but what about the happiness of your pup? And additionally they should be throughout – does one have to… Read more »
Three years ago a a second dog park was planned for the city’s east side to compliment the all-size dog park in the Hart Park facility (in which no dogs live).
However, despite the overwhelming need to renovate the park and add a dog park, the effort was stymied by the Save Plummer Park group.
So ask them where you are to walk your dog.
Oh, and the Sunset Tower Hotel is NOT a dog hotel
I STAND CORRECTED:
Great article..typically grass roots ideas like yours can show promise to SOMEONE WITH THE TIME AND MONEY to step up to the plate and GET ER DUN! It appears the WeHo doggy park is just not big enough for the demand! Get people started around the round table…all it takes is being united to get some plans. Who owns this empty weeded lot? It could be a great place. Build a task force and get other neighbors involved to donate money….Love the sarcasm without being insulting…(re: Abby and Recovery being so close)….duh
The City had a dog park planned for Plummer Park…and the Eastside is a very dog friendly part of town with lots o’ doggie companions. But then the “save plummer park” derided the plans for the park, Governor Brown took back all of The City’s redevelopment funding, so now it’s all up in the air. I am hopeful that when The City starts the new planning (and they will), that once again an off leash dog park will be part of the plan….and not the skateboard park that Councilmember Duran was pushing for….there are far more dog residents than teenage… Read more »