West Hollywood City Council is set to discuss the public feedback from a listening session on the Kings Road Park Off-Leash Dog Park, held on December 3, 2022, at the Kings Road Park Community Center. This initiative was spearheaded by the Department of Public Works, represented by Steve Campbell, Helen Collins, and Erin Hamant. The main recommendation from the session is for staff to continue focusing on the new dog park at Plummer Park and the redesigned dog park at Hart Park.
Previously, on August 2, 2021, City Council had asked the Public Facilities Commission to conduct a public listening session on the proposed dog park at Kings Road Park. Consequently, an Ad Hoc Subcommittee was created on May 11, 2022, composed of Commissioners Isaacs and Karliss, to support the staff in organizing this session. This Subcommittee convened on March 16, 2023, to evaluate the feedback from the event, which was later approved by the Public Facilities, Recreation, and Infrastructure Commission on September 13, 2023, for presentation to the City Council.
The December 3, 2022, listening session had various interactive discussions, collecting public opinions via comment cards. Out of the feedback, 14 emails were received, 13 community members attended in person, and six of them submitted comment cards. The majority were against the proposed off-leash dog park at Kings Road Park due to potential negative effects on the neighbors, children’s play areas, and the park’s overall ambiance.
Following the feedback, the staff decided to display clear signs at Kings Road Park, indicating that off-leash dogs aren’t allowed. They also plan to enhance the dirt berm area at the park’s end. The PFC Kings Road Park Playground Ad Hoc Subcommittee plans to re-engage the community for playground improvements, ensuring all park uses are considered.
The proposed dog park was evaluated by the public, the Public Facilities, Recreation, and Infrastructure Commission, and the Kings Road Park Off-Leash Dog Park Ad Hoc Subcommittee. For community engagement, 1,347 postcards were sent to community members, neighbors, and property owners within 500 feet of Kings Road Park, inviting them to the listening session.
The Department of Public Works, specifically the Facilities & Field Services Division, is primarily responsible for this project.
When are we going to discuss the carbon footprint of pet ownership? What about the incessant barking? Anyone notice an uptick in larger dogs? Ie… German Shepherds, pit bulls, rottweilers? I saw a neighbor letting his small 9-year-old son hold the leash of a hundred pound Rottweiler while walking around. This is the same neighbor that doesn’t know what a carbon footprint is. SMH
I’ve noticed the increase in large dogs as well recently in WeHo, and I think it’s directly related to the increase in street robberies. No one wants to walk a little French or English bull dog in the middle of the night (or day for that matter). I’d rather walk a German Shepherd. At least the thugs will think twice before approaching. Plus, big dogs are awesome. The carbon footprint of too many crappy humans is way worse than any animal.
Are you serious? Maybe focus on your own carbon footprint before hating on animals. Humans are destroying this planet, not dogs and cats. Oh, and anyone who hates animals deserves all the bad Karma coming their way. Hope yours comes soon.
Seems like public sentiment is against an off-leash dog area in this tiny pocket park which means that the council majority (Shyne, Erickson, Byers) will clearly support it. Clueless performative bullpucky will win the day.