STUDIO CITY : Construction at Dog Park Faces More Delays

Clogged pipes, poor drainage and erosion inside Los Angeles’ only dog park could increase costs and prolong a construction project that is already months behind schedule.

Irate at the prospect of more delays, members of a community group dedicated to preserving the rustic, canyon-bottom setting of Laurel Canyon Park will discuss the project today at a Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners meeting at City Hall.

The original 90-day contract for the work was awarded in August and included installing a new curb, a water fountain and a set of steps. The contract later was amended to include perimeter fencing.

But contractor personnel problems and heavy rains interrupted work for weeks at a time, leaving three-foot deep trenches bisecting the park like open scars. Daniel H. Collins, field representative for the contractor, Travers Construction Inc. of Port Hueneme, said Tuesday that work on the original part of the contract is nearly finished.

But he noted that a hillside on the east rim of the park is deteriorating due to years of erosion caused by backed-up pipes and blocked drainage basins that flood during storms.

Travers is awaiting approval of a proposal to correct the erosion and drainage problems on the east side of the park, said Ann T. Collins, owner of the company.

If the city approves it, the eroding hill would be reinforced and backfilled. The work would take about 10 days to complete.

City officials did not immediately return several phone calls Tuesday.

Although they acknowledge the need to fix erosion and run-off problems, the prospect of additional construction in the park disturbs members of the community group ParkWatch, and others who frequent the secluded recreation area.

“This park was supposed to be preserved in its natural setting,” said Jane Purse, 82, who lives nearby and has fought various development plans for the park since 1981.

“That means no railings, no cement,” she said. “The ditches they’ve dug to install that ridiculous and redundant water fountain are hideous. We want our park back the way it was.”