Dear Neighbors,

Your support is needed to help us establish a fence-in off-leash dog park in Boyle Heights; where well-behaved canine citizens and their owners can exercise and unwind in a clean, safe environment without endangering themselves or others. 

A proposal is currently being developed that will be presented to our city officials along with this petition.

We want to create a beautiful, well-maintained space open to all dog lovers and friends who will be willing to uphold the park’s rules and restrictions. This park will be designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike. 

We aim for this park to be a community project, supported in large part by volunteer dog advocates and maintained in partnership with our honorable council member  Kevin de Leon as well as our neighborhood council and hollenbeck park.

The large number and success of dog parks all over the country demonstrate that when a group of concerned and responsible dog owners work together for a leash-free dog park, not only can this concept work, but it can thrive and enrich the community.

Police departments across the country (and globe), are recognizing that taking a mostly unused spot and turning it into a dog park decreases crime, simply because people are using the space, and walking to and from it. Safety in numbers, and more eyes on the streets. https://www.healthypawspetinsurance.com/blog/2019/04/23/do-dog-parks-cut-crime

Therefore, we are asking our  city officials to allow the construction of a dog park for the following reasons:

- There is not a current public dog park in our area to accommodate safe, off-leash dog activities.

- Such a park would allow families with dogs to spend more quality time with their pets.

-Having such a park located in the unused portion of Hollenbeck  Park would promote better use of this land area and deter crime not only in the area or around it, but other parts of the community through higher foot-traffic.

- Such a park would reduce angst between dog owners, non-owners, police and park authorities regarding dog access to other city parks.

- This park would increase opportunities for residents to interact with their neighbors and help create a sense of community.

- Many dogs need exercise above and beyond human limitations; furthermore, many dog owners do not have a yard where their dogs can spend time outside, and leashes greatly limit the dog’s space and pace.

- Socializing dogs is very beneficial to the community, since it makes them less skittish and can mitigate aggressive behavior when meeting other dogs and people.

- Regular exercise is great for any dog's longevity and weight control, and the overall effect of regular exercise makes most dogs calmer and better behaved.

If you live in or around Boyle Heights, please sign our petition to show your support. By showing our overwhelming local support we can all help make this dream a reality!