New Plan for Huntington Park

It was never intended to gain a reputation as a dog park, but times have changed at the picturesque, grassy lot overlooking the ocean in the Huntington. 

The park gates are still padlocked until further notice following a formal complaint and fine in January over non-residents and off-leash dogs using the park. Residents are hoping the park will re-open by the summertime as the Huntington Palisades Property Owners Corporation (HPPOC) works with the city on its re-opening options.

On Monday, Huntington resident Anne Sacks, a member of a newly formed committee tasked to formulate a policy for the 84-year-old park’s use, said they would like to get grandfathered into the city rather than apply for a conditional use permit. Once the city approves a plan for the park, Sacks said they would need to craft a plan for the greater Huntington community, which will most likely include up-to-date methods of enforcement.

When the park was first leased and deeded to the HPPOC, it was prior to the city enacting zoning laws.

“It was never permitted as a park and playground, even thought that’s what it’s been used as,” she said.

Since it’s closing, Sack’s committee solicited feedback from approximately 470 Huntington residents, especially those adjacent to the park. They found many were confused as to whether there was a policy in place for “people first” at the park after being put off, sometimes, by the “egregious use” of dogs being brought to the park to roam off leash by both residents and non-residents.

“It cannot be a dog park per se,” she said, in accordance to the committee’s work with City Councilmember Mike Bonin’s office. “It has to be for Huntington residents’ benefit only in order to not be in trouble beyond the use it has.”

The HPPOC is working to get the plan out and make it enforceable, which will most likely include a locked security gate that can only be accessed by HPPOC members, as well as some other form of enforcement.

“The good news is I think we’ll get there in the not-too-distant future and allow residents to go back and use this really great spot,” Sacks said, citing the high demand for open space throughout L.A. “We miss the ability to go into the park and use it for meditation purposes, sunset-watching and to walk the dog,” she said.

If it can be policed properly once the plan is approved, HPPOC could cordon off a section of the 1.6-acre lot specifically for residents bringing their dogs.

In addition, a host of draining, sodding and landscaping issues at the park need to be addressed.

David Graham-Caso, spokesperson for Councilmember Bonin, said they helped facilitate talks between the HPPOC and the Planning Department to go through the park’s options.

“We understand the meeting went well and are taking a look at what path the neighbors want to pursue,” he said. “Whatever they choose, our office will help.”