Irvine Dog Parks

04/30/2025

April 22: A Big Step Toward More Dog Parks in Irvine

Tuesday, April 22 marked a major milestone in our shared mission to bring more high-quality dog parks to Irvine.

At the Great Park Board meeting, a dog park was an agendized item—and we’re proud to report that the Board unanimously approved a motion directing City staff to evaluate and identify a suitable location for a second dog park within the Great Park.

City staff now have 30 days to return with viable site options. This is the first formal dog park directive of its kind at the Great Park—and it’s a direct result of the sustained public engagement and advocacy that IDPA has helped lead.

Between the Great Park Board and City Council meetings, I had a candid and constructive conversation with Councilmember Mike Carroll about the future of dog parks and IDPA’s role in shaping the City’s upcoming master planning process. Later that evening, several IDPA members spoke during public comment, continuing to keep the spotlight on the need for better dog park access across the city.

IDPA will maintain a regular presence at both Great Park Board and City Council meetings to ensure this momentum continues.

These conversations—whether at the podium or in the hallway—are shifting the discussion from if to how soon and how many.

As we move toward a comprehensive Dog Park Master Plan, Councilmember Carroll indicated that the City will be leaning on IDPA to help define future standards and vision.

Sign up for our IDPA newsletter at http://IrvineDogParks.com

(Photo: Councilmember Mike Carroll, IDPA Secretary Shay Bhavsar, and Crit Van Tuyl, President IDPA. Taken April 22, 2025)

07/21/2024

In a unanimous decision applauded by dog park supporters and soccer enthusiasts alike, the Irvine Community Services Commission approved a revised plan for the Oak Creek Community Park project. The modification preserves the existing soccer field closest to Sand Canyon Avenue, eliminating the need to relocate it to make room for the Central Bark Dog Park. Instead, the dog park will occupy the originally planned soccer field site.

This revised plan not only accelerates the project timeline and reduces costs but also eliminates potential downtime for the soccer field and avoids a reduction in field size at the new location. The change was prompted by feedback from both the soccer community and the Irvine Dog Parks Association, who collectively voiced their support during the commission meeting.

Kathleen Haton, Senior Planner for the City of Irvine, addressed concerns raised by a representative of the Orangetree Patio Homes HOA, emphasizing that their opposition did not reflect the sentiments of the broader Orangetree community, where support for the project had been identified. Concerns regarding proximity to homes, odor, noise, and dog-related hazards were thoroughly addressed. Notably, extensive measures are in place to mitigate any potential impact on nearby residents, including ample distance, barriers, and landscaping. Additionally, the existing dog park's design, coupled with leash laws, ensures a safe environment for both dogs and people.

Public comments even highlighted research indicating that dog parks can have positive financial impacts on nearby communities by increasing property values. With overwhelming support from the public and various community groups, the commission's decision represents a win for all parties involved. It underscores the city's commitment to responding to community needs and creating a park that caters to the diverse interests of its residents.

07/10/2024

Irvine's Community Services Commission is is starting the process of changing the final destination of the New Permanent Dog Park (Central Bark) within the Oak Creek Community Park from the soccer field closest to Sand Canyon Avenue to the field next to Valley Oak, which was also where they tried to put a Temporary dog park earlier this year.

We support this plan modification. The idea behind the change of location is to avoid tearing up a soccer field only to build it again on the other side of the park. Instead, they just want to build the New Central Bark dog park next to the Valley Oak side instead of the Sand Canyon side. The reasons we should support this modification are:

1. Increased area for the New Central Bark dog park

2. Dog park entrance is closer to the parking and bathrooms

3. Dog parks are quieter, and less bright than soccer. That makes for an even lighter impact on the few homes across 4 lanes of traffic, up to 6 rows of fully grown trees, 2 hedgerows, 2 sidewalks, and a block wall. Also, what homeowner wants to turn down an amenity like a dog park in/near your neighborhood when it is proven to raise your homes value by 2% - 6% (HAR.com)(Trulia)

4. The project timeline is faster

5. It is a more efficient use of public money

Here is how you can help our off-leash dog parks.

Add to your calendar and attend the City of Irvine's Community Services Commission hearing on July 17th at 5:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers (1 Civic Center, Irvine). I (Crit) will attend this meeting and suggest meeting at 5:00 p.m. on the plaza just outside City Hall on the backside near the parking. This is a very important meeting and I expect the pushback from the same people as last time, so we need to represent our cause. I will be armed to the teeth with facts and references to combat any negative arguments against that shows up. Bring people if you can. I will also be posting at Central Bark and promoting the event to anyone that will listen (you know me). Thank you so much for supporting our off leash dog park(s). More IDPA news to come soon.

Community Services Commission hearing
July 17, 2024 (5:30 p.m.)
Location: City Council Chambers, 1 Civic Center, Irvine

Please RSVP by clicking the following LINK >>> https://dnuv9.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1f8JIKXwHGbddSTKWo0ZLk4gyd/FcQgGRYfhjcp

We promote Dog Parks in Irvine in the twilight years of Irvine Central Bark.

06/26/2024

Great event. Thank you Council member Tammy Kim!

06/24/2024

Join me today for my Listening Session on Irvine's dog parks! Come connect with the community and share your thoughts on how we can make our parks even better. Don't miss out!

RSVP: bit.ly/irvinedogparkmg

05/19/2024

Made a post on nextdoor to invite dog lovers to join our cause.