A.V. PARK CATERS TO KIDS, POOCHES IN FIRST-OF-KIND FACILITY.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- Canines and kids now have places of their own within Hull Park with the opening of a children's play area and an off-leash area, the first such facility in the Antelope Valley.

Responding to requests from dog lovers, the city created an off-leash area inside of Hull Park at 30th Street West just north of Avenue M. The area, roughly an acre in size, includes a water fountain with spigots for both humans and dogs, a picnic table and a few well-placed trash cans with pooper scoopers.

The new children's play area features three structures with fabric-covered cables. The main structure is described by city officials as a ``new-age jungle gym in a dramatic geometric shape.''

The other two structures are called ``The Blue,'' which looks something like a ship's crow's nest, and the ``Net House.''

``Both of these facilities come as a direct result of a dialogue between residents and the city,'' said Lyle Norton, director of the Parks, Recreation and Arts Department. ``When residents let us know what they want, it helps us plan what to provide.''

The play-area equipment and installation cost roughly $210,000; creating the off-leash area was about $20,000. The city is looking at adding lighting for both areas.

``I was out there Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the place was packed,'' Norton said. ``That area is getting a huge response.''

Initially, the city wanted to establish its first off-leash dog area at the planned Whit Carter Park, a 60-acre regional park that will be on Sierra Highway near Avenue H-8. The development of Whit Carter Park will be done in phases, and the dog park is not in the planned first phase that the city wants to start within a year.

Hull Park was originally envisioned as a ``passive park,'' a place where people could stroll and an open field for those wanting to play soccer or throw a ball around. The park quickly became a site for those walking their dogs and those owners requested an off-leash area.

The play-area equipment was selected for style and fun, said project coordinator Brian Whalen.

``Kids can spend hours crawling through this massive web having gobs of fun while building upper body strength,'' Whalen said.

A dog area is still in the plans for Whit Carter Park, but city officials have heard from some pet owners who think that park would be too remote. The city is also looking at other possibilities for creating a dog area to accommodate eastside residents, Norton said.

The 10-acre Hull Park is named after Forrest E. Hull, a retired eye surgeon who served on the city's first City Council. The park has a walking path, perimeter fencing and parking for about 50 cars.

james.skeen(at)dailynews

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Leah Wilson plays with her shepherd mix, Molly, at Hull Park in Lancaster on Tuesday. Responding to requests from dog lovers, the city created an off-leash area inside of Hull Park at 30th Street West just north of Avenue M. The area, roughly an acre in size, includes a water fountain with spigots for both humans and dogs, a picnic table and a few well-placed trash cans with pooper scoopers.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer