HUNTINGTON BEACH : New Park Will Go Immediately to Dogs

The city’s first dog park, where canines can frolic without leashes, opens Saturday at Huntington Central Park.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held and city officials will be on hand for the grand opening at 11 a.m.

The dog park is in an undeveloped area of Central Park, next to Edwards Street and north of Ellis Avenue.

“We’re excited,” said Don Thompson, who is among a group of residents raising money for the park. “It’s finally an opportunity to let dogs off their leashes.”

Dog lovers raised $2,900 to put up a fence and post signs at the new park, which has received an outpouring of support from city residents as well as people from neighboring communities, he said.

Thompson said that if it rains, the grand opening will be postponed, but no date has been set.

The park will be open from dawn to dusk daily for a 90-day trial period.

The city’s Community Services Department is still accepting donations for maintenance costs and to place turf, benches and other amenities at the park, should it be opened permanently.

Community Services Deputy Director Jim Engle said the cost to maintain a permanent site would be $6,000 to $10,000 this year.