By Mary O’KEEFE

Spend any time in Crescenta Valley and it is obvious residents here are an animal-loving group. From bears enjoying backyard swimming pools and chowing down on avocados from local trees to the nightly parade of dogs walked up and down neighborhood hills and, yes, the occasional tortoise and bull on Rosemont Avenue – the community is animal-friendly.

And dogs, by far, have been able to take advantage of this friendly attitude by enjoying the first ever Los Angeles County Dog Park. This Saturday, the LA County Parks and Recreation Dept. will be celebrating the 5th Annual Dog Park Festival at CV Dog Park.

It was Oct. 19, 2012 that the park opened with a ribbon cutting, or “leash cutting,” ceremony as it was called at the time. The idea for the park was spearheaded by members of the CV DOGS – Community Volunteers for Dogs Off-Leash Gathering and Socializing. The dog park concept drew support through rigorous petitioning and then-LA Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office funded the $645,000 project.

“My staff was able to identify the funding and work with our partners at parks and recreation, the town council and LA Conservation Corps to provide this wonderful park,” said Antonovich at the leash cutting ceremony. “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 LA County Dept. of Parks and Recreation.

The CV Dog Park includes doggie drinking fountains, a washing station, decomposed granite and wood chip surfacing, benches, shade coverings and solar powered security lighting. It is 1.5 acres near the parking lot just off Dunsmore Avenue. The park is separated into two sections: one for large dogs and one for small dogs.

The park began by focusing on the needs and desires of the community and parks and rec continues that outreach with monthly meetings with dog park volunteers.

“There have been a few issues where not everyone [understands some of] the rules, like dogs need to be neutered to be at the park,” said Jennette Leon of Parks and Rec at CV Park.

It was determined there needed to be a new sign with the rules, including those discussed at the monthly meetings. That sign will be revealed officially at the park this Saturday during the celebration.

The 5th Annual Dog Park Festival will include dog boutiques, a raffle, prizes, food and a bounce house. There will be several presentations including pet training and grooming and pet safety and first aid.

The festival is Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CV Park, 3901 Dunsmore Ave. For more information, contact (818) 249-5940.

  Mary Okeefe