After the Dog Park Chair Incident, City Responds ... But What About the Chairs?

Residents who frequent the Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park will find new trash cans, pooper scoopers, trimmed hedges and dirt piles to fill in holes that their dogs dig. 

The new amenities are a response to an incident this summer in which a city maintenance worker deliberately mowed down 25 plastic chairs at the dog park on July 16.

This upset many park goers who feel the plastic chairs, which are donated by other local residents, are a welcomed addition to the park. The city considers the chairs private property that creates an obstacle for park maintenance, according to Councilman Greig Smith's office. This issue led to a debate between dog owners and city officials in regards to the seating policy. 

"I use a cane to walk, so whoever donated those chairs is a blessing to us," Encino resident Frances Pavlidess said. "Not only are dogs are allowed to socialize, but the older generation is now able to socialize with each other; so the chairs are very important." 

Andrea Epstein, a public information officer for the Department of Recreation and Parks, said the city is also in the process of creating a park advisory board. This is going to consist of community stakeholders who will work together to figure out what the best solution is to deal with the need for park seating. 

The issue of whether the chairs will be allowed at the park is still unresolved. Dozens of chairs remain at the park, despite the insistence of parks officials that they are prohibited.

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