All are invited to the annual celebration at the CV Dog Park on Saturday at 10 a.m.

By Mary O’KEEFE

Although it may be difficult to remember a time when the Crescenta Valley Dog Park was not a part of CV Park, it has actually only been a short four years since it opened.

It may seem longer because the community had been waiting for a dog park for years, with CV DOGS (Community Volunteers for Dogs Off-Leash Gathering and Socializing) members working hard to create a perfect dog park for the area. Their diligence paid off with the installation of the first dog park in the Los Angeles County Park system.

“There was a great deal of support from the public, Supervisor Michael Antonovich, his staff, and Los Angeles County Parks,” said Cheryl Davis, volunteer with CV DOGS and a member of the CV Town Council. “But some people felt that parks are for people, not dogs. [Fellow CV DOGS member] John Klose explained that soccer fields aren’t for the ball, they’re for the kids playing on them and dog parks aren’t just for dogs, they’re for dog owners, too.”

Since the park opened in 2012, there have been many friendships forged as pet parents exercise their dogs. Anyone who goes to the CV Dog Park during the day will be able to join in conversations on a variety of subjects, from medians on Foothill Boulevard to recipes for dog treats.

The CV Dog Park is unique because it is the first, and currently the only, L.A. County Dog Park.

“L.A. County Parks did significant research on other dog parks in other cities and states regarding design, amenities, rules, [and so on],” Davis said.

When it was time to go to the community with the design there was little opposition, Davis added.

“The design was gorgeous. There are many details, like the selection of cedar bark that helps keeps bugs, fleas and flies away to the cement ‘curb’ that goes all the way around to prevent digging under the fence to escape, that were thoroughly researched during the design phase. This was the first dog park for L.A. County so the entire process, including design, budget, ongoing maintenance, etc., was scheduled for a hearing before the the entire board of supervisors for their discussion and approval,” she added.

And now the park is the example to inspire other areas of the County.

“We are very proud that our community was able to accomplish a first for Los Angeles County,” Davis said. “The L.A. County staff worked very closely with CV DOGS throughout the process and our community now has a very close relationship with the County Parks Dept. I think everyone has been pleasantly surprised about the number of owners and dogs that use the dog park, at all times of the day, all throughout the week. Several friends and neighbors now have dogs and I love to hear that they take their dog to the dog park and how much they like it.”

CV DOGS, which achieved its goal with the building of the dog park, has transitioned to Friends of the CV Dog Park. The group works with the County on events and programs pertaining to the dog park.

And each year L.A. County Parks and Rec celebrates the work it took to bring the dog park to the County, resulting in some very happy dogs. This year, said Abel Garnica, Recreational Services supervisor at L.A. County Parks and Rec, the park celebration, which takes place on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m., will include a CV finest dog contest. Dogs will be judged in categories including cutest, best costume, friendliest, biggest, tiniest and best trick. The registration for this contest will be at 11 a.m., with the contest taking place at noon and the results announced at 1 p.m. Dog groomers, a costume contest, mobile grooming dog boutiques, vet care, raffles, free give-aways and much more will be part of the day.

“We will have about 20 vendors,” Garnica said, “and demonstrations.”

Those demonstrations will include dog training and the members of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. Canine Unit.

For Davis the anniversary is a time of reflection. She had rescued a dog, Sunny, which brought her in contact with other dog owners and the discussion of the possibility of a dog park. She not only became a leader with CV DOGS but also ran and won a seat on the CVTC, where she still serves – at least until December. She has decided not to run for another term. After her term is over she may actually have time to enjoy the dog park she worked so hard to bring to the community.

“When I think about my life since rescuing Sunny, it makes me laugh. It’s incredible the difference our dogs have made in our lives as well as in our community,” Davis said. “I definitely learned that if you have an idea and a passion, you should pursue it. I made a lot of new friends during this process and, even now, when you go to the dog park, you continue to make even more friends.”

CV Park, the site of the dog park, is located at 3901 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.

  Mary Okeefe