Dog Park Progress On Leash

Bark For A Park group detail fundraising progress but urge city staff to accelerate

Jack Levy, vice-chair of the Bark-for-a-Park team, delivered a comprehensive update to the Parks and Recreation Commission Monday night, detailing significant momentum in the effort to bring a dog park to Hermosa Beach. During his presentation, he explained that the group is ready and waiting for city input.

Recent Fundraising Success

The grassroots organization has secured pledges of nearly $60,000 without even formally launching its fundraising campaign. These early commitments from private residents demonstrate strong community support for the project.

"We just all see this as a great start," Levy told commissioners, noting that the fundraising team is meeting frequently to develop strategies for both individual donations and business sponsorships.

Growing Community Support

The group's petition has garnered more than 1,300 signatures in support of establishing a dog park in Hermosa Beach. Recent community events have further demonstrated the enthusiasm behind the initiative.

On October 28th, the Bark-for-a-Park team hosted a dog-friendly social event at The Deck that drew over 50 people and their pets. A percentage of proceeds from the event benefited the organization, and the gathering received coverage in the local press.

"It demonstrated the enthusiasm and support we have in the city to make a dog park a reality," Levy said, adding that the group views this as the first of many similar events to come.

The next fundraising event is scheduled for November 22nd at Uncorked, which has selected Bark-for-a-Park as the beneficiary of its Paws for Santa Claus event.

Organizational Milestones

The Hermosa Beach Dog Park initiative has achieved several key organizational milestones in recent months:

• 501(c)(3) Status: The organization is now a registered nonprofit, making all donations tax-deductible
• Active Teams: Board of directors, operations committee, fundraising committee, and finance team are all in place and meeting regularly
• Best Practices Research: The group continues studying successful dog parks throughout Southern and Northern California while refining cost estimates
• Merchandise: The team has hats, hoodies, buttons, and stickers available for sale to raise funds and build awareness

Looking Ahead

While expressing appreciation for the city's support, Levy made clear the group's eagerness to move faster. "Our team stands ready to engage," he told commissioners. "And I know (Community Resources Director) Lisa Nichols has a lot of competing priorities but our team is ready and just would love to figure out how to accelerate our progress with y'all."

Commission Commitment

During the meeting, newly appointed Commissioner Elka Worner specifically inquired about ensuring the dog park remains visible on future agendas. When asked why the dog park wasn't listed among future agenda items, city staff clarified that while not on that evening's written list, the project is actively progressing.

Brian Sousa, representing the Community Resources Department, confirmed that staff has been in regular communication with the Bark-for-a-Park group and that he is working directly with them. "We will hopefully be making progress to get that subcommittee formed to start identifying the feasibility of putting a dog park in Hermosa Beach," Sousa told the commission.

For those interested in supporting the initiative, the Bark-for-a-Park team encourages community members to attend their upcoming events and follow their progress as they work toward making a dog park a reality for Hermosa Beach.

Click below to learn more about Bark For A Park and their campaign to fund a Hermosa Beach dog park

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