Petition in Support of Arroyo Seco Dog Park

This petition, supported by the undersigned constituents, is directed to Councilmember Nick Pacheco, Council District 14, City of Los Angeles and other interested City Officials. Its goal is to support the designation and construction of an enclosed dog park with transition areas at the far north end of Arroyo Seco Park (starting at or right under the Avenue 60 grade separation) just off of Via Marisol.

We, the undersigned constituents of Hermon, El Sereno, Highland Park, Monterey Hills, Montecito Heights, and Mt. Washington respectfully urge you to authorize the funding required to establish an off-leash dog park to be created at the location described above.

In creating a dog park, we hope to accomplish multiple goals:

1. To establish a fenced in, off-leash dog park where well-behaved canine can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property, or wildlife.

2. To develop a beautiful, well-maintained space, open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park's rules and restrictions and the original theme of the 1942 setting if all possible.

3. To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike.

We request the City of Los Angeles to authorize adequate funding to provide appropriate fencing, including a double gated entry to prevent dogs from bolting, emergency & maintenance entry, electricity outlets, sprinkler system, lighting, asphalt, concrete, pathways, or gravel, plant material, water availability, garbage cans, bag stations, benches, human & dog water fountain(s), gate(s), and signage so that this park can be constructed as quickly as possible. The park must comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The design of the park will house two separate fenced in sections within one large cordon off location. One section would be utilized for large/medium dogs and the other for small and shy dogs.

Unfortunately, no off-leash dog parks currently exist in the vicinity of the aforementioned communities. Just as other taxpayers enjoy convenient public swimming pools, jogging trails, golf courses, and playgrounds, dog owners need a place to exercise and enjoy their pets in an off-leash environment. Further, such a park will benefit the greater community in the following ways.

1) Most dogs require exercise that leashes restrictions do not permit. The cardiovascular benefit provided by healthy play with other dogs is great for dogs longevity and weight control. Dogs are social animals whose mental health is improved by interaction with other canines. Happy, healthy dogs are calmer and better behaved, reducing nuisance barking and other annoying behaviors exhibited by unexercised canines.

2) Such a facility would increase general park utilization and build bonds within the human community.

3) A facility designated specifically toward pet health would provide a logical locus for the City of Los Angeles to provide low cost and/or free mobile spay/neuter vans and vaccinations. The park could also act as a venue for the City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control to stage pet adoptions and educational programs promoting an improved quality of life for all of our community dogs. The park will provide license revenue for the city, which will also assist with the over all master plan of assuring that community dogs are vaccinated and altered.

4) Dog park patrons tend to be people who appreciate the park and take an "ownership interest" in it. As a result, they keep the area free of criminal activities and other bad elements. For example, the Laurel Canyon Dog Park was a known drug park until dog park patrons chased away the drug element. The dog park greatly reduced crime in that area.

5) Park patrons want to ensure a clean park for all the dogs attending. Feces pick-up and disposal is an integral part of retaining a clean park. A visit to any dog park will verify this observation. Owners watch for and pick up their animals feces, and when a dog defecates, other patrons assume that the dog owner simply did not notice and gently remind the owner to pick up the feces and throw it away.

6) Those who care enough to attend dog parks are usually registered voters, educated, somewhat affluent people, very attractive to local businesses. Such citizens attract others like themselves to live in the area, continuing the trend to increase revenues to local business and to the tax base. Example: The City of Sierra Madre learned that the city benefited in many ways once the off-leash dog park opened. The property value has gone up since the park opened. Visitors who have been attracted to Sierra Madre came became of the dog park and have purchased home because of the park.

7) Once the off-leash park is constructed, a core group of community activists including the creators of this petition do commit ourselves to its continued maintenance (e.g. organized, periodic, cleanup efforts).

8) The dog park should be equip with an emergency entrance and be erected with an emergency access entry (gate) designed with a road made of asphalt or concrete and would withstand the weight of a fire truck or rig. The emergency entrance should span 16 to 20 in width to accommodate a fire truck, rig, ambulance, ranger & police, and animal care and control vehicles. This entry way should be accessible from the main street or the main access road leading into the park to the dog park.

Again, we would appreciate your consideration in constructing an enclosed off-leash dog park at the far north end of Arroyo Seco Park (starting at or right under the Avenue 60 grade separation) just off of Via Marisol.

The Petition to Councilmember Nick Pacheco, City of Los Angeles Recreation and Park Department and other interested City Officials was created by and written by Irene Ponce, Wendi Riser, and Donnette Thayer.