Panel Likes Dog Park Idea, but Not the Site

Even though no dogs will be allowed to run leash-free at White Park, city officials this week encouraged a group of pet owners to find another area that could be converted to a bark park.

City Community Services commissioners this week voted down a proposal by dog owners to use part of White Park for a dog playground after several residents opposed the plan. However, the commissioners said they support the concept.

Commissioner John Neal encouraged the dog owners, who make up Friends of Fullerton’s Bark Park, to find another site. Commissioner Chris Hoover added: “We should have a dog park but not at White Park.”

Residents whose homes are near White Park said that when they moved there 25 years ago, the developer promised to make the park a greenbelt. But the land eventually was given to the city instead.

Their objection to a dog area was that it would be littered with dog droppings, infested with fleas and would draw patrons who would cause parking problems in the neighborhood.

The Friends of Fullerton’s Bark Park, however, told the commission that they chose White Park because it doesn’t get much use. They said they would insist that owners would clean up after their pets and that volunteers would raise money to supply shovels and bags to dispose of dog waste.

The dog owners said they will continue their search for a suitable location.