My child (dog) Lola, a frisbee enthusiast, and her furry friends & owners have cherished playing in Palisades Park for years. Their absolute joy—fully unleashed in the freedom to play—is now at risk due to an increasing issue: the lack of a designated & desirable off-leash dog area in Santa Monica.

For years, there has been an unspoken understanding among local dog owners that a specific small section of Palisades Park—just north of the Rose Garden, lovingly referred to as the "Sunset Spawt"—is a natural gathering place for off-leash play. However, recent incidents involving irresponsible dog owners with unfriendly dogs have led to increased security measures, further limiting off-leash opportunities for well-behaved dogs.

One recent example highlights the urgent need for a designated space: an owner knowingly brought their aggressive dog into this well-known off-leash area, where it attacked a smaller dog. Instead of taking responsibility, they complained that the smaller dog should have been leashed—despite voluntarily entering an area widely recognized as the “dog zone.” This incident not only jeopardized the safety of the animals, but also unfairly penalized responsible dog owners who simply want a safe space for their pets to run and play.

By establishing an official off-leash area, we can:
✅ Provide a dedicated, safe space for well-socialized & friendly dogs to play freely.
✅ Give owners of reactive or unfriendly dogs a clear understanding of areas to avoid, reducing potential conflicts.
✅ Ensure that Santa Monica’s dog-friendly community has a clean, grassy, and well-maintained off-leash alternative to the current undesirable & limited options.
✅ Promote exercise, socialization, and responsible pet ownership, backed by numerous studies showing the benefits of off-leash play (source: Animal Behavior College, 2019).

Santa Monica prides itself on being an inclusive, community-oriented city that values its residents—both two-legged and four-legged. It's time to officially recognize and support the needs of our dog-loving community by designating a portion of Palisades Park as an off-leash area.

We need your support to make this happen! Please sign this petition urging the local council to formally designate “Sunset Spawt” as an off-leash area, ensuring our dogs have a safe and joyful space to play.

Help Lola and her friends enjoy the frisbee-filled future they deserve!