Establishing Dog Park a Frustrating Process

After reading the Dec. 20 interview with Steven L. Soboroff, president of the Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners, I came to the conclusion that the commissioners are unaware of the frustrations of the people involved in the parks here in the Valley.

I attended a Sepulveda Basin Parks meeting some time ago. The representatives of the parks presented some plans to the audience. When input from the audience was heard, it was summarily dismissed by the park managers. For example, the park representatives disclosed that they intend to plant palm trees along a recreation and picnic area. Many members of the audience suggested oak trees and explained why oaks would be more beneficial. They were hastily discounted.

I attended this meeting because I am interested in the installation of a dog park, which has been put on the back burner for years. The park managers seemed very resistant to listening to suggestions from the entire audience as to the location of the site and the installation of it. Mr. Soboroff said he wants input, donations and so on and he will be responsive. Well, here we are, with input and $30,000 in donations.

GEORGE CHURACH

North Hollywood

* Dog lovers have experienced years of frustration in trying to talk to the responsible officials about establishing a dog park in Sepulveda Basin.

In November, a number of people attended a meeting on various basin issues, at which the off-leash dog park was finally on the agenda. All the people present voted for having one on a vacant lot, near the golf course, at Woodley Avenue and Victory Boulevard. City officials want to put it in an area that is too secluded.

The lot we want would be easy to convert into such a park, and with everyone’s willingness, in one month it could be a dream come true for many of us in the San Fernando Valley.

DOMINIQUE KUPIEC

Van Nuys