BARK PARK SET TO BE UNLEASHED.Byline: Cecilia Chan Daily News Staff Writer Grass has finally sprouted in a one-acre fenced lot, enabling the city's first dog park to take root. The Calabasas Bark Park officially will open Sunday, months after the originally scheduled February opening that had to be delayed when Mother Nature didn't cooperate and the city was forced to reseed Verb 1. reseed - seed again or anew farming, husbandry, agriculture - the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock seed - go to seed; shed seeds; "The dandelions went to seed" 2. the site. ``We had a lot of interest once people found out we were doing (the park),'' said Greg Johnson Greg Johnson may refer to:
San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. ) Valley and calls from Malibu, Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , Agoura Hills and Hidden Hills.'' The nearest park where man's best friend can run free legally without fear of the dog catcher is at Sepulveda Basin, a five-acre fenced site at White Oak Avenue and Victory Boulevard Victory Boulevard is a major thoroughfare on Staten Island, measuring approximately 8.0 miles (12.87 km) and stretching from the west shore community of Travis to the upper east shore communities of St. George and Tompkinsville. . Thousand Oaks is planning a park. Johnson, who owns a purebred purebred progeny derived from at least several generations of animals of the same breed. purebred herds herds (or flocks) composed of purebred animals. Not necessarily registered animals. Distinct from crossbred herds. boxer, said he's fielded more calls in the past three months about the dog park than on most other city projects - including the city's new $5.6 million community center. The $25,000 dog park is on land next to the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District headquarters. The city is leasing the site for a token $1 a year and will assume all liability. A 5-foot-tall chain-link fence surrounds the park, which has a water fountain for people and for dogs, benches, a portable toilet A portable toilet is a modern, portable, self-contained outhouse manufactured of molded plastic in a variety of colors and are often used as a temporary toilet for construction sites and large social gatherings. for people, trash cans, pooper scoopers and bulletin boards to post notices. A fenced area will be reserved for small children so they are not in the way of exercising canines. The park will be open from sunrise to sundown and will be informally patrolled by members of the Friends of the Calabasas Dog Park. Sunday's opening comes in the nick of time for resident Catherine Valeriote and her 7-year-old golden retriever golden retriever, breed of large sporting dog developed primarily in Scotland in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 75 lb (27.2–34.1 kg). , Honeybear. Valeriote, who lobbied the city to build the park, said there's been a crackdown on leash laws in local parks, where pet owners who allow Fido to run free face a citation or fine of between $70 to $80. ``All Honeybear does (now) is walk the kids to school. It's not as fun as chasing a ball and running free,'' she said. Valeriote said her medium-size back yard is too small for Honeybear to romp around and the dog park in the Sepulveda Basin is a half-hour away. Valeriote began lobbying city officials about three years ago when she received a ticket for not tethering Honeybear at a local people park. ``Not everybody plays golf, not everybody has kids that are toddler size for the kiddie rides Kiddie rides are coin-operated rides that appear in amusement parks, malls as well as outside supermarkets and large stores such as K-mart and Sav-On. Once common outside smaller establishments like grocery stores, few grocery stores have one or more kiddie rides in their premises ,'' she said. ``A heck of a lot of people have dogs and most are zealous about exercising them and treating them right.'' She said dog parks are not only for dogs but their owners who use the occasion to socialize so·cial·ize v. so·cial·ized, so·cial·iz·ing, so·cial·iz·es v.tr. 1. To place under government or group ownership or control. 2. To make fit for companionship with others; make sociable. with one another. ``I am thrilled,'' she said. ``I'm excited. I've wanted it for so long.'' Rules will be posted, including what Valeriote stressed was the most important - no aggressive dogs allowed. ``And if a dog is not safe, it's not allowed to come to the park,'' she said. ``It can be real tragic when a small friendly dog is killed by a big vicious dog.'' Johnson believes Bark Park will be a hit. ``I think dog parks are definitely a trend,'' said Johnson. ``The trend beyond the '90s is for special parks and specialized areas for people - dog parks, skate parks and water parks. ``You will always have your traditional parks, but I think as people become more segmented in specialized recreation people will need specialized parks or areas for them to do their sport of choice.'' THE FACTS What: Grand opening for Calabasas Bark Park When: 10 a.m., Sunday Where: Next to Las Virgenes Municipal Water District headquarters, 4232 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion