HUNTINGTON BEACH : Fund-Raisers Planned for Dog Park Fencing

Norm and Carol Lovett are eagerly awaiting the day when their two Australian shepherds, Samantha and Brandy, can run free in Huntington Central Park.

That day won’t come until dog owners raise the rest of the $2,500 needed to fence in an undeveloped area of the park where dogs would be allowed off their leashes.

“Dogs need a place to run off their leash because most of our homes don’t have back yards big enough,” said Carol Lovett, who doesn’t want to keep making the trek to Laguna Beach’s dog park.

The Community Services Commission has approved a 90-day trial period for the city’s first dog park, scheduled to open in March. There about 20,400 licensed dogs in the city.

The proposed dog area at Huntington Central Park is next to Edwards Street, north of Ellis Avenue. City officials say they can’t afford the fencing, so it is up to dog owners to provide the money.

Dog owner Don Thompson, who is spearheading the project, said about $600 has been collected so far and that fund-raisers are set for the next two weekends at Petland in Huntington Beach.

Thompson, who lives in a downtown condominium and has a Labrador retriever named Sadie, said the dog park is desperately needed. “People seem willing to help,” he said. “Everyone is sensitive to the fact that there’s a financial hardship (on the city. The park) is something people want.”

This is the second such proposal for the city. The Lovetts in 1993 made a pitch for a dog park at Edison Community Park, but city officials rejected the idea because the location was too close to homes.

The city has set up an account to receive community donations. People can send their contributions to: The Dog Park, Community Services Department, 2000 Main St., Huntington Beach, CA 92648.