ALHAMBRA – The Alhambra City Council advanced with their plans to implement a permanent dog park, on Monday, June 24.
During the meeting, the council authorized staff to “circulate a Request for Proposals (RFP)”, allowing designs and specifications to be provided for the dog park.
The future park is set to be located near the Alhambra Golf Course and the local YMCA. This area also was home to a temporary dog park called “Paw-Pup Dog Park”, a two-month project established by the city in the fall of 2023.
The community was invited to visit the park and provide input. According to the city, more than1,300 responses were gathered and 99% of those responses were in favor of installing a permanent dog park.
Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renée Pérez said that this feedback propelled the city’s efforts to make plans for the park’s permanence.
“I would say one of my top priorities is to make sure that we’re finalizing this, we’re getting it done, and my hope is that we’ll actually start to break ground on this project before we get to the end of the year,” she said.
For years, there was a desire to move forward with a dog park, but finding the right location proved to be a challenge, according to Pérez. The “Paw-Pup Dog Park” allowed the city to temporarily experiment with the location.
“Many of the past locations that we looked at were either too distant or far away from other amenities,” said Pérez. “Some areas weren’t very walkable, other locations were located too close to homes and surrounding residents were worried about noise, about smells, so this location was one that we felt really confident about.”
According to Pérez, past restrictions surrounding pets in public parks also increased the city’s efforts to establish this space.
“I think a lot of dog owners are looking for a safe space that is enclosed, where their dogs can enjoy their time off the leash,” she said. “In addition to that, there [will be] a space for both large dogs as well as small dogs.”
“Paw-Pup Dog Park” also provided dog owners the opportunity to socialize and included the following amenities: seating, shady areas, cleanup bags, and even areas to take photos of your pets, according to Pérez.
“Having the space itself and having a gated space designated for dogs is something that’s rare in this part of the San Gabriel Valley,” said Pérez.
During the City Council meeting, one resident, who was in favor of the dog park, urged the council to also consider safety measures within the space. The resident insisted on implementing green space and California-native plants within the park, rather than pavement, to prioritize the safety of the dogs.
Pérez affirmed that the dog park is the perfect opportunity to create a new green space for residents.
“I think it just creates a more welcoming environment for those of us who do have furry friends and furry companions,” said Pérez. “And to feel like the city is thinking about how we can better accommodate folks who have pets and create a welcoming [place] for them too.”
For more information, visit https://www.cityofalhambra.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=288.
