Temescal Canyon Spotted by Dog Park Plans

By CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA | Reporter

The Palisadian off-leash dog park dream has put another paw forward in the decades-long process of becoming reality.

On Wednesday, Feb. 7, the Pacific Palisades Dog Park Working Group checked off another item from its 13-step to-do list before officially beginning construction of a dog park.

The community meeting at the Palisades Recreation Center was seventh on the list, requiring a majority vote from the community.

Given that the city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks is willing to donate a piece of Temescal Canyon land, the canyon is now a front runner for hosting our furry friends. Other sites like Simon Meadow and Will Rogers State Beach were also considered, but ultimately decided against because of land restrictions and overall costs.

“The Temescal Canyon site really meets all of the criteria,” said Lynn Hylen, a Palisades Park Advisory Board member who has been at the helm of the project since the beginning.

“We wouldn’t need to get any additional approvals. They own it, we don’t have to lease it or purchase it.”

Prior to taking a vote, members of the PPDPWG broke down the proposed attributes of the dog park.

The 33,000-square-foot space would entail a separate fenced-in small and large dog play areas, water sources for dogs and their owners, trees, ample parking and bathrooms, according to the presentation given, and will be free and open to the public.

After 120 Palisadians, and one dog, unanimously voted in favor of a Temescal Canyon dog park, Leslie Campbell—with her petition signed by thousands in hand—was ecstatic.

“When not one single person raised their hand in the negative I was like wow, this is my crowning moment,” Campbell said.

The PPDPWG must now present to the city’s Board of Commissioners Task Force and is slated to do so on March 7.

In the meantime, they must begin fundraising for maintenance costs that will not be covered in the budget. While brainstorming different ways to raise money for amenities and grass alternatives, one Palisadian had a specific person in mind.

“I think Mr. Caruso should pay for the dog turf,” suggested Julie Graham, an Alphabet Streets resident. “That would be a nice gesture.”