Dog-Run List Ignores Park That Started Controversy

The Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department staff has recommended that city’s first dog runs in the San Fernando Valley be in the Sepulveda Basin and Griffith Park, passing over Laurel Canyon Park where the controversy over unleashed dogs erupted.

Dog owners seeking to establish Laurel Canyon Park as an area where pets could legally run free vowed Wednesday to press their case at a Recreation and Park Commission meeting Friday. The commission will make a recommendation to City Council, which will have the final say.

The council in September voted to create dog runs in city parks after dog owners who let their animals run free in Laurel Canyon Park clashed with animal-control officers sent there to enforce the leash law. Officers were responding to complaints from other park users that unleashed dogs interfered with their enjoyment of the small park in the mountains above Studio City.

A Rare Parcel

John Ward, assistant general manager for the parks department’s Valley region, said that he recommended against establishing a dog run in the 12-acre Laurel Canyon Park because it is one of the few pieces of flat, developed parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains.

“We cannot justify turning over a developed park to dogs,” he said.

The sites proposed by the parks department staff for fenced dog runs--both unimproved--are a 1.3-acre grassy area in 46-acre Woodley Park in the Sepulveda Basin and a two-acre, oak-studded area east of the Victory Boulevard bridge of the Ventura Freeway and north of Zoo Drive, in the 4,107-acre Griffith Park.

Tickets Analyzed

Ward said a review of the citations issued to owners of unleashed dogs in Laurel Canyon Park found that many owners do not live near the park, but in the flatlands of the Valley.

Brian Petrunich, a Sherman Oaks attorney and dog owner who has pushed for establishing a dog run at Laurel Canyon Park, said he was surprised by the staff recommendation. He said he expects the commission to nevertheless approve a dog run for the park.

“I’m fairly confident because, when we appeared before the commission several months ago, several commissioners indicated they supported our position,” he said.

“It’s unfair to ask the majority of residents in the vicinity of the park to drive 30 minutes to walk their dogs. There is no other place in that area for them to walk their dogs. The streets don’t have sidewalks where they can walk safely.”

An aide to Councilman Joel Wachs said the lawmaker supports the Griffith Park site, which is in his district, but has taken no position on a dog run in Laurel Canyon Park, also in his district. Wachs’ position is important because the council generally defers to a council member on issues that affect only his or her district.

Wachs Out of Town

Wachs was out of town Wednesday. His deputy, Mark Siegel, said the councilman wants to see whether Laurel Canyon Park has good access, enough parking and space, and community support, before making up his mind on a dog run there.

“Intuition tells me that Laurel Canyon Park will not meet the criteria,” Siegel said. “It is not accessible. Parking is limited. And there are competing uses for it.”

Councilman Ernani Bernardi said he supports establishing a dog park in Woodley Park in his district.

The parks department staff also recommended dog runs next to Vista Del Mar Park, in the flight path of Los Angeles International Airport, and near the entrance to Harbor Regional Park near Los Angeles Harbor.

The council, in voting to create dog runs, asked the department to propose four test sites throughout the city.

Jane Purse, another leader of the Laurel Park dog owners, vowed: “We’ll go on fighting for that park. Every setback we have increases our anger and determination.”