Loma Linda Dog Park Must Wait for Repairs

The collapsed fence at one of Loma Linda’s dog park has been repaired -- sort of.

The metal bars are still bent. The fencing is still bowed.

“As severe as the weather got, I’m glad they were able to get to the park,” said Teri Nelson, who watched her small terrier run around the city’s small dog park.

Just over a week ago, those who used the park kept one eye on their dogs and the other on a partially mangled fence just below a hillside that appeared as if it was sliding. Debris, including a fallen tree, came tumbling down onto the fence and mud flowed into the park, residents said.

The area has since been cleaned, but the fence remained damaged.

And now the question that some are asking is, when will the park be returned to its original shape.

“We’re aware of the problems,” said Konrad Bolowich, director of information systems with Loma Linda. “But I’m not sure when we’re going to get to it.”

Reminders of the slides and floods that hit the city on Dec. 22 are still found in portions of the city, Bolowich said.

“Believe it or not, we still have some mud on the streets,” Bolowhich said. “We’re trying to set up protection barriers in strategic areas of the city.”

“We’re behind on mowing the lawns in some of the parks,” Bolowich said.

He knows the two dog parks are very popular, but he was not sure when they would be fully repaired. It may take some time, he said.

For now, the priority is fixing potholes, removing dirt and setting up K-rails and preparing the incoming storm, Bolowich said.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for Loma Linda and much of the Inland Valley area.  The watch was expected to remain in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.

Moderate to heavy rainfall was expected throughout the area. Mudslides and flooding are likely in low-lying areas, officials said.

A flash flood watch means conditions for flash flooding exist, weather officials said.