Residents present dog‑park plan; commissioners ask staff to agendize a subcommittee review

A community group advocating for an off‑leash dog park presented a detailed proposal to the Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission at its July 1 meeting, describing possible locations, design options, estimated costs and volunteer support.

Carla Buck, representing Bark for a Park, told commissioners the group’s January petition has more than 1,200 signatures and the organizers believe Hermosa Beach has “more than 3,000 dogs in the city.” The group presented 11 candidate sites citywide, and identified three primary sites it considers most viable: Valley Park Northwest (a 14,000–17,000 sq ft city‑owned patch near Gould and Morningside), Valley Park Southeast (about 9,000–10,000 sq ft near Kiwanis) and the eastern portion of Noble Park (roughly 10,000 sq ft). The presenters also discussed a smaller northeast corner of South Park as a possible secondary site and described seasonal or limited‑hours “pop‑up” experiments on the beach as an option for testing demand.

Design and cost: The group summarized design choices and costs. For a 10,000 sq ft dog park the group estimated a construction range of about $92,000 to $250,000 (including a 20% contingency), with ongoing maintenance costs to be determined. Options discussed included small‑dog and large‑dog areas, 6‑foot fencing, shade and privacy barriers, and a range of surface materials from dirt to antimicrobial artificial turf (the latter noted as highest cost but easiest to manage).

Funding and operations: Bark for a Park proposed a mix of funding and maintenance strategies: increased dog‑license outreach to raise fees and participation; volunteer fundraising; private sponsorships; and possible user fees or registered‑user privileges. Buck said volunteers are prepared to help with fundraising and maintenance under city direction.

Commission response and next steps: Commissioners thanked the group for the research and recommended deeper study. Several commissioners suggested staff and the group collaborate on a short neighborhood outreach process before formal site selection to identify and address neighbors’ concerns. Commissioner Tom Maroney urged a subcommittee to work with the group; several commissioners expressed support for agendizing a future action item to consider forming a dedicated subcommittee. Community Resources staff said they will place the matter on a future agenda so the commission can consider forming a subcommittee, which would then interview neighbors, review costs and return recommendations.

Why it matters: Hermosa Beach currently lacks a public off‑leash dog park; proponents argue a city park would provide social and health benefits, reduce illegal off‑leash use elsewhere and support walkable access for residents. Neighbors and commissioners raised questions about shade, noise, impacts to adjacent homes and ongoing maintenance.