Ed Fuentes

Walkers pass by the 6,000-square-foot parcel that will soon be Downtown's first dog park.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Downtown is set to get its eagerly anticipated first dog park next weekend, as the Arts District Dog Park gets a soft-opening before the departure of one of the men who helped bring it into existence.

Los Angeles River Artist and Business Association (LARABA) President John Saslow recently announced that he will be leaving for Canada, and hasty plans are being assembled to hold the opening ceremony beforehand, either on Friday, August 27, or on Monday, August 30.

"Maybe the last thing I do Downtown is drive up to the [dog] park, open a gate, let my dog do his thing, then take off up the 5,” Saslow joked with blogdowntown this week.

Saslow and LAPD Senior Lead Officer Jack Richter have led the effort for the park space, which will occupy an oddly-shaped 6,000-square-foot parcel at 1004 E. 4th.

The move led the two to speed up the opening schedule. Decomposed granite is still to be added to the space, which will continue to evolve as donations come in. So far the grassroots effort has taken in small contributions such as benches and trees and a larger gift that will fund an art project.