My pack was visiting a friend in West Hollywood recently, so we decided to check out the local parks while we were there.
Park space in this part of greater Los Angeles is hard to come by and the citizens of WeHo struggle to keep the green spaces they have... but they are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to developing their park lands.
(Click here to see what goes into my parks rating system.)
Formosa
Park includes seating areas, drought tolerant plants and native
California plantings, a water feature, water conserving irrigation
system and an artwork component.
Taking inspiration from varying foliage shapes, pathways and planting areas designed to reflect natures’ shapes of fallen leaves. Sustainable plantings throughout the park will reflect the colors of fall while enhancing the design of the adjacent condominium building.
- See more at: http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/another-weho-pocket-park-to-be-dedicated/#sthash.EmD1qlSM.dpuf
Taking inspiration from varying foliage shapes, pathways and planting areas designed to reflect natures’ shapes of fallen leaves. Sustainable plantings throughout the park will reflect the colors of fall while enhancing the design of the adjacent condominium building.
- See more at: http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/another-weho-pocket-park-to-be-dedicated/#sthash.EmD1qlSM.dpuf
***West Hollywood Park***
Rating: 2.5 Paws
 |
| The Pacific Design Center is cool looking, but I'd rather smell the grass. |
However, the West Hollywood City Council recently approved a $86 million upgrade that, much to the dismay of the mayor, many residents (and me), doesn't include plans for a dog park; a very strange omission in "this city known for its animal-friendly laws, where pets are formally recognized as 'companions' and their owners as 'guardians'.” (LA Times)
A dog park is definitely needed as there is only one very small spot in all of West Hollywood where a dog can shed its leash (which I cover later in this post). The upgrade plans do include three new kids playgrounds, which is nice, but dogs outnumber children in this city by a very substantial margin.
 |
| I can't help but laugh at you humans sometimes...how did you forget a dog park? |
Poor planning aside, I must admit the park does have lots of grass to roll in, dog friendly water fountains, poop bag dispensers and trash cans. It could use some more shady trees though.
 |
| I always bring my own dish but its nice to see the park was thinking of those of us under 2' tall. |
On the outskirts of the park, various pieces of public art might appeal to both people and dogs.
 |
| A bronze dog! I must tell pack leader we need one of these at home. |
 |
| To say West Hollywood is a colorful place would be an understatement. |
I'm sure everyone will eventually come to their senses and make this park more dog friendly. When they do, I'll revisit and upgrade my rating.
***Plummer Park***
Rating: 2.5 Paws
7377 Santa Monica Bl.West Hollywood, CA 90046
Unlike West Hollywood Park, where changes have been welcomed, the locals around Plummer Park have been fighting a controversial renovation of the park that was set to begin in 2011.
 |
| There are two main entrances to this park. One on Santa Monica Bl. and this one on N. Vista St. |
 |
| Its so peaceful here that its hard to believe so much controversy surrounds it. |
While the people argue, I'll check out what the place has to offer a dog. There is lots of plush grass and water fountains can be found throughout the park. There are plenty of trash cans too but no poop bag dispensers...maybe those are part of the renovation?
For the humans there are tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic benches, some eclectic artwork, a WWII memorial, and a farmer's market held every Monday from 9am-2pm.
 |
| Its called the "Three Horned Beast" but its not very scary if you ask me. |
Whatever they decide to do with this park, I'm sure we all hope it retains its unique character and continues to be a fun place for all Angelenos, canine and human, to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
West Hollywood and Plummer parks are the only places in the city that are big enough to be considered real parks. However, there are a number of "pocket parks" that provide residents with small refuges where one can find some peace (if not quiet), a little touch of nature, and perhaps learn a thing or two.
***Kings Road Park***
Rating: 2 Paws
The Schindler House, built in 1922, is considered the birthplace of California Modernism architecture. That doesn't mean anything to a dog, but I'm sure glad they preserved it because we get to visit this nice little park.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
This beautifully landscaped property has a lot of interesting things to see and do, packed into a tiny space. There is a playground, benches underneath a variety of shady trees, a waterfall, sculptures, a public restroom, and a famous house.
This beautifully landscaped property has a lot of interesting things to see and do, packed into a tiny space. There is a playground, benches underneath a variety of shady trees, a waterfall, sculptures, a public restroom, and a famous house.
The Schindler House, built in 1922, is considered the birthplace of California Modernism architecture. That doesn't mean anything to a dog, but I'm sure glad they preserved it because we get to visit this nice little park.
 |
| I wish I had one of these in my backyard. |
***William S. Hart Park***
Rating: 2 Paws
William S. Hart, a star of the silent movie era, particularly Westerns, was a big influence on the likes of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. In the 1940's he donated his house and it's grounds to the City of L.A. It was rented to a variety of tenants over the years until, in 1989, it was leased to West Hollywood for 30 years.
Today the house is used by The Actor's Studio as a rehearsal space and the grounds were converted into an off-leash dog park with separate hours for large and small dogs. There are poop bag dispensers, trash cans, a water fountain and some benches.
Today the house is used by The Actor's Studio as a rehearsal space and the grounds were converted into an off-leash dog park with separate hours for large and small dogs. There are poop bag dispensers, trash cans, a water fountain and some benches.
 |
| The only off-leash place in WeHo. The mulch is alright - but how about some grass to roll in? |
***Laurel Park***
Rating: 1.5 Paws
Rating: 1.5 Paws
1343 N. Laurel Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Opened in 2011 as a temporary park, it is essentially the front and side yards of the "Tara" - a home built in 1924 on what is today the largest undeveloped plot of residential land in the city.
The owner donated the home to the city but only spoke of her wishes; never writing them down. This oversight led to years of litigation after her death in 2000 and a court case that made it all the way to the California Supreme Court. Eventually, it was decided that preserving the house and grounds was the way to go.
There are some benches to sit under the many trees that fill the yard but there is no signage anywhere telling you anything about the place. Very strange...
the largest undeveloped plot of residential land in the city - See more
at:
http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/laurel-park-green-space-expanded/#sthash.KUKoTi5k.dpuf
the largest undeveloped plot of residential land in the city - See more
at:
http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/laurel-park-green-space-expanded/#sthash.KUKoTi5k.dpu
 |
| West Hollywood seems awfully litigious when it comes to their parks, no? |
Formosa
Park includes seating areas, drought tolerant plants and native
California plantings, a water feature, water conserving irrigation
system and an artwork component.
Taking inspiration from varying foliage shapes, pathways and planting areas designed to reflect natures’ shapes of fallen leaves. Sustainable plantings throughout the park will reflect the colors of fall while enhancing the design of the adjacent condominium building.
- See more at: http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/another-weho-pocket-park-to-be-dedicated/#sthash.EmD1qlSM.dpuf
Taking inspiration from varying foliage shapes, pathways and planting areas designed to reflect natures’ shapes of fallen leaves. Sustainable plantings throughout the park will reflect the colors of fall while enhancing the design of the adjacent condominium building.
- See more at: http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/another-weho-pocket-park-to-be-dedicated/#sthash.EmD1qlSM.dpuf
ormosa
Park includes seating areas, drought tolerant plants and native
California plantings, a water feature, water conserving irrigation
system and an artwork component.
Taking inspiration from varying foliage shapes, pathways and planting areas designed to reflect natures’ shapes of fallen leaves. Sustainable plantings throughout the park will reflect the colors of fall while enhancing the design of the adjacent condominium building.
- See more at: http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/another-weho-pocket-park-to-be-dedicated/#sthash.EmD1qlSM.dpuf
Taking inspiration from varying foliage shapes, pathways and planting areas designed to reflect natures’ shapes of fallen leaves. Sustainable plantings throughout the park will reflect the colors of fall while enhancing the design of the adjacent condominium building.
- See more at: http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/another-weho-pocket-park-to-be-dedicated/#sthash.EmD1qlSM.dpuf
ormosa
Park includes seating areas, drought tolerant plants and native
California plantings, a water feature, water conserving irrigation
system and an artwork component.
Taking inspiration from varying foliage shapes, pathways and planting areas designed to reflect natures’ shapes of fallen leaves. Sustainable plantings throughout the park will reflect the colors of fall while enhancing the design of the adjacent condominium building.
- See more at: http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/another-weho-pocket-park-to-be-dedicated/#sthash.EmD1qlSM.dpuf
Formosa Park and Havenhurst Park, both opened in 2009, are tiny courtyards built by condo developers that have benches and nice landscaping crammed into an area less than 5000 sq. feet. They are mostly used by residents of the adjacent condos but are open to the public. There isn't much to do in them but any clean space where you can relax in the city is greatly appreciated.Taking inspiration from varying foliage shapes, pathways and planting areas designed to reflect natures’ shapes of fallen leaves. Sustainable plantings throughout the park will reflect the colors of fall while enhancing the design of the adjacent condominium building.
- See more at: http://www.wehonews.com/z/wehonews/another-weho-pocket-park-to-be-dedicated/#sthash.EmD1qlSM.dpuf
 |
| Formosa Park |
 |
| Havenhurst Park |
I hope you found my exploration of West Hollywood useful and that it inspires you to visit these parks with your whole pack.
Visit www.CanineAngeleno.com to see my other adventures around Los Angeles and be sure to follow me on Twitter and friend me on Facebook for all the latest news and fun doggie info.
See you at the park!
Chloe Canine-Angeleno
Resources used to write this blog:
The Los Angeles Times
The City of West Hollywood
Wehoville
The L.A. Conservancy
All photographs were taken by my pack leader, Jim Gross
Everything else was discovered by getting my paws dirty and the extensive use of my nose.
No comments:
Post a Comment