On the corner of San Elijo and Montgomery in Cardiff, you might see a cloud of dust and a pack of local dogs running inside the fenced area as you pass by the Cardiff Dog Park at George Berkich Park and Cardiff Elementary School. Founded in 2006, the dog park has been maintained by local residents, who provided the park’s amenities, which include benches and chairs, a shade umbrella, a dog drinking fountain, poop bag dispensers with a steady supply of bags, and a small agility course.
Recently, the school board approved plans to swap the location of the park and the school’s vegetable garden to give the garden more sun and the dog park a grassy area and the shade of a nearby tree. Other upgrades include replacing the wood chips that previously covered the park with a surface such as grass or decomposed granite, which is much safer and cleaner for active dogs. There will also be a double-gated entry that provides added safety for entering dogs.
Eleanor Musick, local resident and Cardiff Dog Park project lead, whose personal contributions have long fueled the park’s popularity, is thrilled about the move. “The park is a wonderful asset to the Cardiff community that has provided a place where pet owners and spectators can socialize and enjoy the park space,” Musick says. “We’ve created a nice environment with the help of volunteers, but this planned renovation will provide a better running surface for the dogs, much needed shade and secure gates to make it a quality facility for years to come.”
A fundraising event was held on July 22 at the park with the generous support of Dirty Dogs, Rimel’s Rotisserie, East Coast Pizza, and a number of nearby businesses who contributed goods and services for the event’s silent auction. The event’s success was also powered by a group of loyal volunteers who have donated their time and energy to help make the planned Park improvement a reality.
A significant amount of funding for the combined Cardiff Dog Park and garden project is coming from the sale of personalized bricks. The 4” x 8” bricks that are being sold for the dog park will be permanently placed in the park’s double-gated entry area. Larger 8” x 8” bricks will be used as stepping stones in the garden area. Area residents, park users, and others who wish to support this community project can purchase their own personalized bricks by visiting www.bricksrus.com/order/cardiff. Those wishing to donate directly to the project are encouraged to visit www.scrumptiousschoolyards.org/donate.
