If you’ve spent 15 minutes at the Costa Mesa Bark Park on a sunny day, you know the problem: there is virtually no relief from the sun.
Costa Mesa Bark Park is one of our city’s greatest community assets—a spacious, scenic gathering place where local dogs play and neighbors connect. However, a major issue threatens the safety, usability, and comfort of the park year-round: a severe lack of shade, particularly over the central picnic tables and seating areas.
While the park offers plenty of open room for dogs to run and exercise, the central picnic tables and primary seating areas sit in full, unrelenting sunlight. As a result, park-goers are getting sunburned, dogs are overheating, and neighbors with medical conditions who need to sit down are left with nowhere cool or comfortable to sit. Visitors are currently resorting to hauling their own umbrellas and folding chairs across the park just to find temporary relief from the sun.
Our community deserves a safe, comfortable, and accessible park environment for everyone—on two legs or four.
Our Call to Action: Join us in calling on the City of Costa Mesa to allocate funding for a durable, permanent shade structure (such as a shade sail or pavilion) over the main seating area at Costa Mesa Bark Park.
Sign this petition today to help us bring essential shade, safety, and comfort to our dogs and community!
Heat Safety for Dogs: High temperatures and direct sun cause heat exhaustion, burned paw pads on turf/ground, and dehydration in dogs.Owner Well-being: Handlers and seniors need protected rest areas out of the direct UV rays while supervising active pets.Extended Park Usability: Adequate shade makes the facility usable during hot mid-day hours and warm summer and fall months.