Local residents on Saturday celebrated the grand opening of the long-sought Allied Gardens Off-Leash Dog Park.
San Diego City Council member Raul Campillo joined them, saying that when he took office, the community, particularly in Navajo, “made it clear that they wanted an off-leash dog park.”
“And I promised them I would do everything I could to help,” said Campillo. “I’m proud to deliver this dog park – the first ever city-funded off-leash dog park in District 7 – for Allied Gardens residents and the surrounding Navajo area. Now, Navajo residents can enjoy a dog park in their own community rather than have to travel to other parts of the city to do so.”
Officials said that the new dog park is larger than 68% of San Diego off-leash areas, excluding Dog Beach and those zones within regional parks. The park is located adjacent to the Allied Gardens Pool on Glenroy Street.
The park features logs for agility training and seating, a dog drinking fountain, trash and recycling bins, dog-bag dispensers and separate fenced areas for both large and small dogs. In addition, heavy fabric has been set up along the fence of the Allied Gardens Pool to mitigate effects on pool users, officials said.
“Due to the lack of a dog park in District 7, local dog owners have resorted to using joint-use fields and recreational parks to let their dogs run off-leash,” said Gerhard Oertelt, founder of Beyond Leashes and off-leash park advocate.
Campillo has worked with Beyond Leashes to find a suitable location for an off-leash dog park since taking office in 2020. Advocates have sought the park since before his election.
“Our community members have been trying to establish an off-leash dog park for five-plus years, which should allow dog owners to legally socialize and exercise their dogs, while at the same avoid disputes with residents, the school and sports teams – a win-win for everyone,” Oertelt said.
According to the city, Campillo secured $389,000 in the FY2024 budget to fund the instillation of the dog park and to pay for maintenance.
– City News Service