IRVINE

Toting signs calling for a “Central Bark After Dark,” about a dozen dog owners with pooches by their sides launched a small demonstration at the Community Services Commission on Wednesday. The show quickly persuaded the commissioners to approve nighttime lighting of Irvine’s first canine park.

The meeting was devoted, in part, to putting details on designs for the Central Bark Canine Park, a 2.8-acre, off-leash play area off of Oak Canyon Road. The park is set to open next summer.

“After your dogs have been cooped up all day, you can give them exercise. But later is the time change and suddenly our dawn-to-dusk operation ends at 4:30 in the afternoon,” said Richard Vinet, spokesman for the volunteer canine park task force.

The park’s basic elements, a fenced turf area and decomposed granite parking lot for 26 vehicles, will cost an estimated $205,000. The City Council has allocated $196,000 for the project, said John McAllister, Community Services superintendent.