|
THE LAGUNA BEACH DOG PARK , THE FIRST SPACE OF ITS KIND IN ORANGE COUNTY , CELEBRATES 30 YEARS THIS FALL .
By ASHLEY RYAN
|
It ’ s no secret that Laguna Beach is a dog-friendly town . From Naked Dog Bistro ’ s baked treats to services like massage and aura readings for Fido , the local pooch has plenty to keep him or her healthy , happy and entertained . But the scene wouldn ’ t be what it is without the Laguna Beach Dog Park . Established 30 years ago , on Oct . 17 , 1992 , this open space was the first in Orange County — as well as one of the earliest in all of Southern California .
The land was purchased by the California Department of Transportation , or Caltrans , as part of an environmental mitigation effort resulting from the widening of Laguna Canyon Road above El Toro Road . Caltrans loaned the site for creation of the dog park
|
by Laguna Beach officials ; an organization called Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends ; a volunteer group that works with the city animal shelter ; and GTE Telephone Operations , which originally owned the land .
Later , in 2005 , Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park was formed . Marc Buchan , the current president of the board of directors , says that the group came about to help protect the integrity of the space as well as to serve as an entity that could work with the city on necessary improvements .
Over the last three decades , the park continues to be a haven for Laguna residents to get outdoors , exercise their dogs and enjoy the natural canyon setting . Nestled up next to the hills , the fenced-in park features a sprawling meadow split into two sections ,
|
ASHLEY LITTLEFIELD |
40 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM |