Temporary dog park approved for Victoria Park; Demuth Park project progressing

The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission on Monday approved plans for a temporary dog park at Victoria Park in partnership with Blue Zones Palm Springs.

The pop-up park will open Dec. 11 and close around the end of January. It will be located in the northwest corner of the park and include an 8,400-square-foot area for large dogs and a 6,000-square-foot area for small dogs.

The pop-up is considered a pilot project that could inform future parks and recreation decisions, commissioners and Blue Zones Palm Springs staff noted. During the several weeks the park is open, Blue Zones Palm Springs will offer an online survey where residents can provide feedback.

“I do think that people, especially in this community, are really interested in a more permanent solution,” said Mario Benito, a landscape architect hired by Blue Zones Palm Springs to work on the pop-up park.

After the pop-up park closes, Blue Zones Palm Springs will give a presentation to the city on how the pilot project performed and what residents had to say.

“There has been early input of making this permanent. But we’ve also made it clear to residents that this would have to come from the community’s voice. We’re just here to show what the pop-up dog park could be like in Victoria Park,” said Diane Morales, public policy lead for Blue Zones Palm Springs.

Meanwhile, improvements to the existing dog park at Demuth Park are progressing. Commissioners learned Monday that work on the small dog park has been completed, although the area remains closed to allow newly planted grass to become established.

Construction of the large dog park and restrooms is continuing, with completion targeted for mid-to-late November.

Posts and netting are also being installed along nearby Field 7 to prevent softballs from entering the parking lot and dog park.

---