Proposed dog park at Eagle Rock Recreation Center could be ready early 2018

Residents got a first look at initial designs for a dog park to be built at the historic Eagle Rock Recreation Center, according to a spokesman for Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar.

Rick Coca, communications director for Huizar, said that “$800,000 has been secured in the last city budget,” adding that an estimated 60 people attended the community meeting earlier this month where the preliminary plans were outlined.

It will be located right off of Figueroa Street just south and across the street from the Ventura (134) Freeway off/on ramp.

Coca said city officials showed attendees a preliminary design draft — which Coca said might change — of the dog park before the meeting broke into five groups of about a dozen people to gather feedback.

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“They talked about the design,” he said. “We’ll probably have more meetings, and we expect to have a final [dog park] design finished by the first quarter of 2017.”

Huizar’s office estimates that the dog park could be completed by early 2018.

Dogs are currently permitted on the recreation center’s grounds, which feature an athletic court and rec room inside a Mid-century modern clubhouse designed by architect Richard Neutra, tennis courts, a picnic area, baseball diamonds, tree-lined paths and a children’s center.

However, posted signs about a leash law go mostly ignored.

Some residents have raised concerns about dogs roaming in a public park with competitive sports, picnicking families with children and joggers nearby.

“We’re way past [any opposition] now, and we’re definitely building a dog park,” he said. “It’s just a matter of design. The public meeting was for people who support the dog park.”

Citing the Hermon Park in the Arroyo Seco Dog Park — located in northeast L.A. at 5566 Via Marisol — Coca indicated that a designated area for dogs to run and exercise is an idea with support within the community.

“Dogs are already there anyway,” he said. “For anyone concerned, a dog park gives people a more controlled environment so people can enjoy the [park’s] other amenities.”

“The Eagle Rock Dog Park allows us to fulfill a promise to a community that has been advocating for such a place for years,” said Councilmember Huizar in an email. “Given the passion and the rarity of the city granting new dog parks, I am not surprised by the turnout at our recent meeting, and I expect community involvement through the design, construction and use of the dog park to remain high.”

Holleran is a contributor to Times Community News.