By Jorge Casuso

April 29, 2021 -- Santa Monica could add its fourth dog park -- and first on the northside -- after the City Council on Tuesday directed staff to explore carving out a section of Reed Park for dogs.

The motion by Mayor Sue Himmelrich and Councilmember Phil Brock came in response to calls from residents of the City's northside who have requesting a dog park for years.

"I get constant discussions about the fact there is no dog park whatsoever in north Santa Monica," said Brock, a former Parks Commissioner who noted the idea had been floated more than a dozen years ago.

"People have been talking about having a dog park," Himmelrich said. "I don't know if it's practical, if there is space or whether it's financially feasible."

City Manager Lane Dilg suggested the Council wait until the City hires a park planner, but Brock said creating the park shouldn't be too "complex."

It would require "wood chips" and a "double fence" to enclose the area.

The Council unanimously voted to move ahead but with a caveat -- it shouldn't displace the homeless who hang out and live in the park near Downtown.

Carving out a dog park could lead to the "potential displacement of people," said Councilmember Gleam Davis. "They will move into alleys and doorways."

Jon Katz, the president of the Santa Monica Democratic Club and a dog owner, urged the council to "plan ahead with outreach to homeless individuals."

"We can't clear out encampments with reckless abandon," he said, denouncing what the City of Los Angeles had done.

Councilmember Kevin McKeown added a motion to explore the impacts on the people who live in the park, users of the park and neighbors.

Santa Monica currently has three dog parks -- Herb Katz Dog Park at Joslyn Park, Airport Park Dog Park and Pacific Street Dog Park.