COSTA MESA

The Costa Mesa Bark Park Volunteer Committee, which has been working with the city since May to improve the city’s dog park, is angered over a proposal to cover the grounds of the park with wood chips, and has scheduled an open house to give the public an opportunity to review proposals for the park.

Patt Bell, volunteer committee member, said the committee is upset over a proposal to add 12 to 18 inches of mulch to cover the predominantly dirt-covered park. Bell said mulch was never an option for the park until recently. Bell said smaller dogs would have a hard time moving through the mulch as would people who have difficulty walking, or those who are confined to a wheelchair.

Donna Theriault, a management analyst with the city, cautioned that city staff is still looking at a number of options for the park.