The Long Beach Department of Public Works will host a virtual community meeting to garner feedback on a proposed off-leash dog area at Junipero Beach on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

The meeting will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Zoom and will feature staff from the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine and the Long Beach Fire Department Marine Safety Division.

Following the size and model of the pet-friendly space of Rosie’s Dog Beach, the new off-leash dog zone will comprise approximately four acres, south of Ocean Boulevard between Molino Avenue and Orizaba Avenue. This location lies along the Downtown shoreline, east of the recently built Junipero Beach Sports Court.  

The new off-leash dog area will incorporate best practices for water quality, sand maintenance and environmental protection in mind, according to the City. The site was chosen based on its proximity to parking, pedestrian access and compatibility with surrounding recreational uses.  

The sign for Rosies Dog Beach early in the morning the day of the 30 Minute Beach Clean Up on Nov. 16, 2019. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

During the virtual community meeting, City staff will go over important project details, including the proposed location and anticipated timeline. Following the presentation, the public is invited to ask questions and give feedback on the project, which will impact the dog beach’s final design. 

The project began through a City Council-led effort to scout possible locations for the city’s second off-leash dog beach, as well as public demand for more outdoor recreation space for pets west of Rosie’s Dog Beach. The development of the Junipero Dog Beach is expected to move forward once a coastal development permit is approved from the California Coastal Commission, which can can take up to a year or longer, according to the City. 

Those interested in attending the virtual meeting on Feb. 11 are encouraged to pre-register for the virtual meeting. Interpretation services and other accommodations are available upon request now until Tuesday, Feb. 4, To register, request interpretation services, or learn more about the project, visit lbcity.info/juniperodogbeach.