Residents Trickle Back To University Dog Park, Another Closure Planned

Dogs and their owners are slowly returning to University Dog Park in Palm Desert, which reopened last week after being closed for more than a month because of . 

But another closure is planned for later this month to install new drainage systems and repair heavily used areas of the park's turf, according to city spokesman David Hermann.

The work is scheduled for June 28 through July 1, and will require the temporary closure of the park’s exercise/play area for larger dogs. This project is unrelated to the May 4 vandalism that closed the park for over a month.

The park was closed after vandals ripped out copper wiring from electrical and irrigation systems, toppled light poles and stole the park's security camera. It was reopened June 8.

The closure forced many dog owners to find alternative parks.

“I live in Shadow Hills and there are parks that are closer,”said Marlene Rimm.  “But they’re not as nice as this one. This is so much bigger than the others, and it has that nice slope along the side.”

Another frequent user who wish to remain unnamed said University Dog Park is so popular because of on-site bathrooms and a nearby Starbucks location.

According to City of Palm Desert Spokesman David Hermann, the park is fully functioning with working lights. He added there are no significant repairs pending. 

The repairs have been estimated at $33,000.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the crime.

In addition to the upgraded turf, the city will install new drainage systems next to the park's entrance.

The green turf that is originally covered these areas is gone because of heavy traffic from residents and their canine companions. A similar drainage system at Palm Desert's Civic Center Dog Park helped new grass grow, according to Hermann.