Dog Park Could Be Coming To Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS—A dog park could be coming to the city of Beverly Hills. On August 25, the Beverly Hills Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting ended a conversation about a dog park at Foothill Road and Alden Drive.

Beverly Hills Director of Community Services Steve Zoet sent out over 1,300 letters to adjacent residential and commercial businesses to alert them about the meeting and to allow them to provide input about the dog park.

Individuals who received the letter also had the opportunity to email comments as well, as the room was full to capacity and over 22 people spoke at the meeting in favor of the dog park, according to a press release from Dana Beesen from the city of Beverly Hills. There were 47 letters received; 41 were in favor of the park and 6 opposed the dog park.

“Some feel the dog park is too much money and some synagogues in the area are concerned it will be disruptive to their members.  Of the 23 people who spoke at the meeting on August 25, they were all in favor of the dog park. We have received one additional letter since this meeting, and they are opposed,” said Beesen.

Questions were raised about hours of operations, whether or not dogs would have to be leashed and licensing and design features of the park. Park hours are expected to run daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other items will be discussed during Special Meetings that are expected to be held in September. Once the Recreation and Parks Commission finalizes all recommendations, they will present their findings to the Beverly Hills City Council.

Canyon News spoke with Dana Beesen from the city of Beverly Hills about the proposed dog park. “Multiple sites were considered and community provided input.  Recommendations were taken to City Council and direction was given to further review Foothill Road & Alden Drive,” said Beesen.

She indicated that discussions are under way by the Recreation and Parks Commission to determine if a fee will be charged to residents to visit the dog park.

A meeting will be held at City Hall in Room 280-A on Tuesday, September 8 at 9:15 a.m. by the Recreation and Parks Commission. It will also include a tour to the location of the proposed dog park on Foothill Road and Alden Drive.