After five and a half years of meetings, planning, designing and more meetings, the CV Dog Park is finally open. Those who worked together (top) to make the park happen cut the leash (ribbon) at the grand opening on Oct. 19. Then it was time to step back and let the dogs run (below).
The Crescenta Valley Dog Park is located at the Crescenta Valley Park at 3901 Dunsmore Avenue, La Crescenta, 91214.
By Jason KUROSU
On Friday, Los Angeles County’s first ever dog park opened to the public with a “leash-cutting ceremony,” a two-fold metaphor for the park’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and the intentions of the park’s creators for a leash-free environment for the community’s dogs.
Spearheaded by members of CV DOGS (Community Volunteers for Dogs Off-Leash Gathering and Socializing), the dog park concept drew support through rigorous petitioning. Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich’s office funded the $645,000 project.
Antonovich was present at the ceremony, along with many other speakers in support of the park and vendors providing animal services such as low cost vaccinations, microchips, photos and pet adoptions. Antonovich spoke to a sizable crowd Friday morning before the park officially opened.
“My staff was able to identify the funding and work with our partners at Parks and Recreation, the town council and L.A. Conservation Corps to provide this wonderful park,” said Antonovich. “We’re very proud of their dedication. We’re very proud that the community now has another opportunity for their dogs to have their day in the park, just as we’ve been able to have our days in the park for many years.”
The park was funded through Proposition A, also known as the Safe Neighborhood Parks Proposition of 1996, which provides funds for “parks and recreation projects and additional funds for maintenance and servicing of those projects,” according to Kaye Michaelson, special assistant for L.A. County Dept. of Parks and Recreation.
Other Prop A projects include improvements made to Two Strike Park such as construction of a new restroom, benches and ADA accessibility, and improvements to Loma Alta Park where a new gymnasium and increased parking were constructed.
The 1.5 acre space of the Crescenta Valley Dog Park features drinking fountains, dog washing stations, decomposed granite and woodchip surfacing, benches and shade coverings, a $120,000 ADA accessible path from the dog park to the restroom, solar powered security lighting and an integrated water collection channel.
The park is split into two sections for small and large dogs and each section is accessible through a double door so that the dogs may not easily slip out.
Among the speakers were members of CV DOGS Cheryl Davis and president John Klose.
“This project was a community endeavor that required a collective effort from many people and organizations,” said Klose. “I’m proud of what CV DOGS was able to accomplish and appreciate all of the people who became active participants to help shape and better the Crescenta Valley community. What started as an idea between a few friendly dog owners turned into a movement that had enough momentum to make effective change and add value to our community.”
The park is now open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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