Official Sanchez Dog Park opens Friday, March 30, 2012

Pacifica Tribune, 3/27/12. "Official opening of Sanchez Dog Park Friday, March 30, 2012." 

"On March 30, Friday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m., folks are invited to celebrate the official opening of the Sanchez Dog Park (located on the east side of the Pacifica Center for the Arts, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd.), complete with a ribbon cutting, prizes and lots of dog fun. Construction on the park, which began in December 2011, finished earlier this month.

"Oh yeah, I'm alpha, ur' better back down now."

The Pacifica Organization of Canine Helpers (POOCH) presented the concept of a dog park at the Pacifica Center for the Arts site to the Parks, Beaches and Recreation (PB&R) Commission at a study session back in October of 2008. Since then, there have been several PB&R Commission study sessions and meetings, City Council meetings, an environmental study, and final approvals from Council. Pacifica's Department of Public Works constructed the bio-retention swale and were able to ready the park for a "soft" opening March 13.

The "soft" opening quickly turned into a "wet" opening, thanks to our rainiest week of the year. However, some brave owners and their four-footed friends still made their way out to the half-acre park, and even more chose to come the following week when conditions had improved. In spite of the weather, POOCH volunteers can be seen several hours per day at the site, letting their dogs romp while helping to educate park users on how to fully enjoy the park. These docents have been interacting with park users, passing out brochures with park "rules and etiquette" and working to help foster a culture of respect for the neighbors and tenants, as well as users - generally helping everyone enjoy the park. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer docent is encouraged to contact POOCH at PacificaPooch@yahoo.com.  For more information on the Sanchez Dog Park or its grand opening, contact the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department at 650-738-7381 (www.cityofpacifica.org/dogpark)."

Posted by Kathy Meeh