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Ojai Valley's new off-leash dog park is now open
Richard Quinn / Special to The Star Ojai resident Betty Saunders and her bichon frise, Joy, were among those enjoying the new Mitchell Edelson Dog Park at Soule Park in Ojai on its opening day Thursday.
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More from County NewsFree from her leash, Maya, a 3-year-old Siberian husky, scampered Thursday across a fresh spread of wood chips, lapped water from a fountain and snuggled playfully with newly introduced four-legged friends Thursday.
Her owner, John Kertis, was smiling, too.
"This is sheer perfection," the mortgage broker said, his palms outstretched as he surveyed the spacious confines of Mitchell Edelson Dog Park, Ojai's long-anticipated off-leash dog park.
Forced for years to ferry their pooches miles to an off-leash park, dog owners in the Ojai Valley finally got a leash-free area of their own. The 1-acre site inside the county-run Soule Park in Ojai has sections for little and big dogs, ample shade, benches, ground-level drinking fountains and even free "mutt mitts" for cleanup duty.
"It's so important for dogs to socialize," said Ojai-based dog trainer Sean Goddard, who was among about three dozen people on hand for Thursday's official park opening and sign dedication.
Ron Van Dyck, deputy director of county parks, said the heroes of the dog park were the community members who raised $20,000 to make it a reality.
County officials first identified Soule as a possible dog park location in 2001, but the proposal languished without funding. County parks don't allow dogs except in designated campgrounds, where they must be leashed.
Ojai resident Tex Winter and former Ojai Mayor Carol Smith spearheaded a renewed fundraising effort last year. Dozens contributed. The clinching donation, however, came from innkeeper and Deer Lodge restaurant owner Steve Edelson, who donated $6,000 in honor of his teenage son, Mitchell.
Mitchell offered his savings from his childhood piggy bank after learning of the campaign.
"I couldn't let him do it," Steve Edelson said, describing himself and his son as big dog lovers. "I told him to keep his piggy bank for college."
Mitchell attends Culver Military Academy, a college prep school in Indiana. He couldn't attend Thursday, but his name adorns a sign at the park's main entrance.
To encourage users, the county agreed to an annual parking pass of $55, reduced to $25 for those 60 and older. For an additional $10, participants can get two extra passes for their families.
Smith now no longer has to drive 20 miles to an off-leash area at Ventura's Camino Real Park to let her German shepherd, Lily, run free.
"This is a great day for Ojai and a great day for dogs," she said.
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Posted by creggsteffler on May 4, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who will pay for the medical bills and lawsuits when the more 'anti-social' loose dogs attack each other and people?
Posted by noahsapothecary on May 7, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By using any dog park, you acknowledge that dog fights may happen. Some form of this statement is posted in the rules and regulations of every dog park I have researched. Owners are, and should be, held responsible for the actions of their dogs.
Dog parks help with the socialization process. If your dog isn't properly socialized, using a dog park with a qualified dog trainer is a great way to brush up on those etiquette skills.
B Dawson
Posted by creggsteffler on May 12, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks, B Dawson.
But that doesn't address the question I asked.
Posted by noahsapothecary on May 14, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV, but it is common knowledge that if your dog bites anyone, you are held accountable under the law regardless of where the dog is. Private property, public park, dog park or in my store, it doesn't matter. Animal control will the cite the owner of the dog, not the property owner, not the business owner. That establishes clear legal responsibility for any medical costs or damages.
You are financially responsible under the law for any damage done by your dog. That is my understanding of the law.
Now discussing how successful you might be in recovering those damages is an entirely different thing and should be taken up with the legal system.
Opponents of dog parks have raised this "whose going to pay for attacks" issue for years. You are more likely to get injured on the way to the dog park than in one.
If you don't like dog parks or have had a poor experience while using a dog park, then don't go. But leave others who have had very positive experiences the pleasure of seeing their dogs play nicely with others. Dogs who run with scissors should seek etiquette lessons before attending play groups.
B Dawson
Posted by rebel123 on May 14, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dogs need to run and play with other dogs without being tethered. Kudos to the people who made the Ojai dog park a reality. Makes me wish I had a doggie!
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