Pet Owners Could Get Temporary Dog Park in RPV

Anticipating more than a year's wait before the county could even consider a regional dog park at the former Palos Verdes Landfill, Rancho Palos Verdes City Council members decided Tuesday to pursue a temporary park at City Hall, where pet owners could let their dogs run free. 

A City Hall parking lot, often used by for overflow parking, would serve as an immediate solution for residents itching for a dog park, while cities on The Hill wait to hear a verdict from the county regarding a regional park at the landfill, council members said.

"It doesn’t look like a lot to get that done and make a lot of people happy," Councilman Jerry Duhovic said.

The city will now send a letter to Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe reconfirming support for a park at the landfill site, first expressed to the county in 2010. The city will also encourage neighboring cities of Rolling Hills Estates and Palos Verdes Estates to send similar letters. 

The county has said it wants to wait a year to gauge the success of its first pilot dog park in La Crescenta, set to open in August, meaning the earliest the county would consider a dog park at the former landfill is August of next year.

In the meantime, city staff will look into a temporary off-leash dog park at City Hall, in addition to corresponding Recreation and Parks programs. Details of the temporary park remain unclear, including possible costs for non-residents, dates of operation and whether permits will be required to use the park.

The lot at City Hall has already been reserved by Terranea Resort every weekend from now through September, which would greatly restrict any weekend use of the temporary dog park during the summer months. 

"Common sense tells me there's such a pent up demand to have at least temporary usage here for something like [the proposed park at City Hall]," Councilman Brian Campbell said.

A current city contract with Mia Lehrer and Associates for dog and skate park site analysis will no longer include the dog park.

Councilwoman Susan Brooks raised concern for the financial impact a dog park might have on the city, which claims the majority of parks on The Hill.

"I think this is a want, I don’t think this is a need," she said. "I'm very cautious about that aspect."

Council members will now wait to hear back from staff regarding the feasibility of the proposed dog park.

"At least we would offer something instead of nothing," Mayor Anthony Misetich said.