Dog Park Compromise: How Things Get Done

* Thanks to TimesLink and our kid’s computer, I was able to access two recent letters to the editor--from George Churach, regarding community input falling on deaf ears, and from Dominique Kupiec about the dog park location in the Sepulveda Basin.

Let’s talk big picture: communication, acknowledgment and respect. With all three, there isn’t a project in the Valley that we can’t work out. For example, hopefully to Mr. Kupiec’s delight, through a recent series of highly productive meetings between recreation and parks staff and residents, a great compromise location has finally been selected! Yes it took too long, but if the same mutual spirit of cooperation and willingness to listen would have been present from the beginning, the project now be having its grand opening instead of ground breaking!

Equally as frustrating (for anyone) would be taking the time to attend a community meeting that asks for input and then not being acknowledged. Oak trees vs. palm trees, slides vs. swings, on leash vs. off leash, it doesn’t matter . . .

Community meetings are important for the department to gain consensus and exchange ideas and input. Staff has experience with hundreds of facilities (from a materials, type of equipment, safety, etcetera, point of view) and the community knows its community.

Communication, acknowledgment and respect plus the knowledge of both sides equals well-conceived projects.

STEVEN SOBOROFF

Soboroff is commission president, Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.