Canines cavort at Bark Park

Pets and owners can mingle outdoors in Calabasas


IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers GOOD COMPANY- Malibu resident Kevin Dillon, left, chats with Alan Schultz of Agoura as Bailey, 6, and Stella, 2, anxiously wait for Schultz to toss their ball at the Bark Park in Agoura Hills on Saturday afternoon.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers GOOD COMPANY- Malibu resident Kevin Dillon, left, chats with Alan Schultz of Agoura as Bailey, 6, and Stella, 2, anxiously wait for Schultz to toss their ball at the Bark Park in Agoura Hills on Saturday afternoon.


It’s a puppy playground, a place where canines can cavort and dog owners kibitz. The Bark Park in Calabasas is only a small strip of land, but it’s a popular hangout for dog lovers who want their dogs to romp and play leashfree.

Last Sunday, large dogs were king. Calabasas resident Stacey Kass brought Hunter, a 9-year-old yellow lab, to the Bark Park along with her son Ryan, 11.

“I think it’s great for dogs to socialize with other dogs,” Kass said. “So far the dogs have been really friendly.”

Occasionally an aggressive dog disrupts the happily wagging tails and games of fetch. Kass said she saw one such dog at the park, but that its owner kept it on a leash. When the dog didn’t calm down, the owner left.

Kass also likes that the city supplies plenty of balls for the dogs.

“They sniff; they play,” she said.

Liron Alchadeff, a 26-year-old Calabasas resident, brings his exgirlfriend’s dog to the park occasionally. The Samoyed/husky mix is named Sasha Cohen after the 2006 figureskating silver medalist. Sasha Cohen is more cooperative at the Bark Park than Alchadeff’s own dogs, he said. Svenson and Talia, purebred Samoyeds, bark too much in the car, and Alchadeff said he’s afraid he could get in car accident.

As for the lure of the park, Alchadeff said, “It’s convenient; that’s it.”

Zingo, a 5-month-old golden retriever, appeared to immediately take to the party atmosphere at the park. Owner Nancy Callaway traveled from Woodland Hills to visit the park on a friend’s recommendation.

Callaway said she had never been to a dog park before. “So far, it’s okay,” she said.

Bob Hockenberg, on the other hand, has been a regular at the Bark Park for many years. The Calabasas resident brings his German shepherd, Kato- named after the Green Hornet’s trusted friend- to the park often. Kato’s favorite activity is herding other dogs, Hockenberg said.

The camaraderie between dog lovers is strong. “Everybody appreciates this place is here,” Hockenberg said. “There are not many places you can let dogs run.”

The Bark Park is operated by the city of Calabasas, but the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District provided the swath of land just north of their headquarters on Las Virgenes Road.

Bark Park rules must be followed. Owners must clean up after their dogs, and aggressive dogs are prohibited. A sign warns that if one dog attacks another, they can be separated by grabbing the hind legs of the offender and walking backwards. Dog repellant spray is also available through the Friends of the Calabasas Bark Park.

One person is allowed to bring three dogs to the park at a time, and all dogs must be free of parasites and properly inoculated. Female dogs in heat are not allowed in the park. There’s also a rule outlawing wolf hybrids.

Park features include a doggy drinking fountain, pooper scoopers, a children’s play area, a separate area for small dogs weighing 28 pounds or less, and canopy seating.

The Bark Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is at 4232 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas, next to the water district and across the street from the Las Virgenes Unified School District. There is no charge to use the park.

The community of Oak Park is considering building a dog park. At a recent community meeting, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District assistant manager Ed Hayduk said a dog park might be an appropriate use of land near the archery range at Oak Canyon Community Park.

Several committee members suggested charging a fee if the dog park is built.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers JOY- Five-month-old pug Pika dashes  across  the  Calabasas Hills Bark Park to play with new four-legged friends on Saturday afternoon.  Pika  lives  with Sharon Shapira of Beverly Hills.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers JOY- Five-month-old pug Pika dashes across the Calabasas Hills Bark Park to play with new four-legged friends on Saturday afternoon. Pika lives with Sharon Shapira of Beverly Hills.

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