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Residents press commission for permanent dog park, a pocket memorial and a Ruth Hardy project update
Summary
Public commenters urged the commission to make a popup dog park permanent at Victoria Park, recommended a memorial pocket park for Lawrence Crossley, and asked staff for an update on a Measure J-funded exercise space at Ruth Hardy Park.
Residents used the public-comment period at the April 27 meeting to press for several local park priorities.
Paul Hendendrickson of the Upper Westside Neighborhood asked the commission to make a recurring popup dog park at Victoria Park permanent, saying the temporary events show strong community demand and noting concern among parents at nearby Vista Del Monte Elementary School that some off-leash dogs intimidate children. "There's a lot of community members, neighbors who are very interested and want to have some input... we hope to take that temporary pop-up park that happens in October and make it permanent," Hendendrickson said.
A neighborhood volunteer urged the commission to convert small, city‑owned lots in the Lawrence Crossley neighborhood into a memorial pocket park honoring Lawrence Crossley; the speaker said the lots are too compact for development and could provide a lasting neighborhood amenity.
From Zoom, Debbie O'Brien, representing GeForce Workout, asked for a status update on a Measure J-funded permanent exercise space for Ruth Hardy Park. O'Brien said the project had been approved by the Measure J commission, the parks commission and City Council and had initially been listed with a February 2026 timeline; she said staff told her in March the timeline had shifted to April–May and she had not received an update. "If it isn't [scheduled for an update tonight], then I would like to request that a project status and anticipated timeline be given either at this meeting or the May meeting," O'Brien said.
Director staff acknowledged public comment and said that, while the commission generally cannot act on items not on the posted agenda, staff will follow up on public requests and provide status updates where appropriate.
No formal action on the dog park, pocket park or Ruth Hardy exercise project was recorded at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue community engagement and follow up through the department.
