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Montebello to open 0.75-acre dog park at Henry Aquino Park, officials say
Summary
City staff gave a construction update on Montebello’s first dog park at Henry Aquino Park, saying grading and concrete work are underway and the park is expected to open in late June. Residents raised concerns about parking, lighting and neighborhood impacts.
Montebello city staff gave an update on a dog park under construction at Henry Aquino Park and said the facility — about three-quarters of an acre — is expected to open in late June.
The presentation Tuesday to the Montebello City Council described the site as chosen through the city’s parks master plan adopted in 2021 and said the project includes separate large- and small-dog areas, a double-gated entry, drinking and dog-wash stations, shaded benches, an obstacle course, new irrigation and an ADA-accessible concrete pathway. Public Works Director Cesar Roldan said grading is under way, concrete forms were being installed and a new liner and subsurface work for water pipes had been completed per Montebello Line Water specifications.
“The project will provide an enclosed area for dogs to exercise, socialize and play off leash under supervision,” Roldan said. He said heavy rains this winter and coordination with the water utility caused some delays but that amenities are being installed and staff were targeting a late-June opening.
A city manager’s statement explained the site selection process. The parks master plan identified Henry Aquino Park as an appropriate location because the city owns the parcel, there is existing parking on site and the plan assessed levels of service for neighborhood amenities. The manager also said an earlier design for a dog park at the Montebello Golf Course was expected to cost substantially more and pose accessibility and construction challenges, so staff recommended the Henry Aquino site.
Residents who spoke during public comment said they support parks but objected to the location chosen adjacent to residential streets. Linda Nicholas, who said she represents neighbors on Vail, Eighteenth and Victoria avenues, told the council she feared loss of parking, increased nighttime lighting and barking would reduce quality of life and property values. “You didn’t have to put that right against the fence of those people that live there,” Nicholas said.
City staff said the project includes low-level lighting, parking connections to Victoria Avenue and Lincoln, and public outreach on signage and rules. The city also is preparing draft municipal rules for off‑leash city dog parks (referenced in staff comments as an addition to a new Chapter 12.27) that will set hours, signage requirements, enforcement authority and penalties; staff said the ordinance work began with a first meeting April 9 and a second meeting was on the consent calendar.
Staff said the city will publish construction updates and visual progress on social media and will solicit public input on sign design. Roldan said the project remains on budget and that landscaping decisions, including drought‑tolerant plant selections for medians and buffers, will be coordinated with council and the city manager as construction nears completion.
Details and timeline: the park is roughly 0.75 acre, the contractor has begun concrete work and staff anticipate opening in about six to seven weeks if there are no additional delays. The project began with contract award and a groundbreaking on Dec. 4, 2024. The city manager noted the site required coordination with Montebello Line Water for water‑line depth and drainage work.
The council did not take a separate vote on the presentation; several related items (signing design and ordinance language) were on the consent calendar for approval.
