The City of Signal Hill opened its very first dog park on Saturday, March 17 at 3100 California Ave. ” captionposition=”bottom-right” lightbox=”on” floater=”on” floaterposition=”left” floaterdirection=”none” overlay_revealfx=”off”] On a breezy St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 17, the City of Signal Hill opened its much anticipated new dog park at 3100 California Ave.
Across from the Gateway Center shopping mall, tucked under the Auto Center freeway sign and next to an oil field, the half-acre park features separate small- and large-dog areas, as well as benches, shade sails and 13 parking spaces.
Local resident Viron Vargas, who brought his dogs Bruno and Moose to the opening, said he was happy about the convenient new option for his canine companions.
“We’re really excited,” he said. “It’s really close to home and perfect for us.”
Vargas also appreciated the artificial turf instead of woodchips used along with decomposed granite in the designated dog areas.
“That’s going to make it look a lot cleaner than most other parks,” Vargas said.
Councilmember Lori Woods concurred.
“It’ll hold up really well,” she told the Signal Tribune during the opening. “We don’t have to worry about turf.”
Another local resident, Kerry Castillo, attending the opening with her hospice-companion dog Scratch, appreciated not only the park’s location but its proximity to a local Petco store across the street.
“We live up the street,” Castillo said. “I’m so excited. We walk down here anyway. We used to walk down here and go to the Starbucks. [!] And the pet place is right here.”
Kelli Tunnicliff, public works director, told the Signal Tribune that she had inherited the project when she joined City staff in July of last year. Attending the opening with her two children and two dogs, she said she had done her best to expedite the park’s construction.
“I’m very happy this was my first assignment,” she said. “It was challenging, to say the least. When I came on board, I said I’m just going to take the specs and [!] plans, and we’ll just deal with everything as it comes. [!] We’re very happy.”
The city council had approved awarding a construction contract on Sept. 26, 2017, to DD Systems, Inc., for approximately $729,000, including a 10-percent contingency.
At that council meeting, Tunnicliff displayed a map of the park’s design as approved by the Planning Commission, showing the small-dog area at about 2,000 square feet, the large-dog area at about 4,500 square feet and the covered people area at the center at 315 square feet.
Then, in November, the council approved introducing a tax-deductible commemorative-brick program, managed by the Signal Hill Community Foundation. The bricks will be placed at the entrance and other places in the dog park.
Community Services Director Aly Mancini told the council that funds raised from sale of the bricks will offset the park’s project costs and generate additional revenue for the foundation to use for park amenities, programs, services and events.
The council further approved a zoning amendment for the dog-park portion of the property on Jan. 23, changing its use designation from “commercial general” to “open space.”
Staff also shared a “negative declaration” report with the council at that meeting, indicating that the dog park would not significantly impact the environment.
During the park’s grand opening Saturday, Mayor Edward Wilson unveiled a plaque commemorating the park and also cut a ribbon at the main gate of the dog area, surrounded by several local dogs and their people.
In his speech, Wilson recognized the efforts of city council members, commissioners and staff, among others in attendance.
“This dog park has been many, many years in the making,” he said. “It’s a true testament to the hard work of so many people.”
He also acknowledged the cooperation of Signal Hill Petroleum in relocating their oil-production facilities from the property, as well as the architects, construction team and project managers.
“It is our hope,” Wilson said before unveiling the official plaque, “that this little dog park will provide big fun for all of our furry friends.”
