City of Capitola Dog Park Receives Donation

City of Capitola Dog Park Receives Donation

Family of Joshua Raine Laven Donates Reward Fund to City

CAPITOLA—The City of Capitola received a commitment from Ozzi Dog Park, Inc. for $8,000 to fully fund the new Dog Park to be built on McGregor Drive.  Ozzi Dog Park, Inc is a non-profit organization which was recently established in memory of Joshua Laven who was killed in a bike accident in 2012.  The Capitola City Council recently authorized a multi-use recreational park at the City-owned McGregor Drive property, located near the entrance to New Brighton State Beach.  The new park will have three components; skate park, dog park and bike park. 

The plan calls for a 9,500 square foot bike pump track on the north end of the property, kids’ play area, seating area visible from all locations, a 10,300 square foot skateboard park fronting McGregor Drive and a 12,500 square foot dog park located in the rear of the property. Parking for 30 vehicles will be at the southern portion of the lot with a gated entrance. The City will fund and install the basic infrastructure; ADA accessible paths, porta-potties, water service, parking and fencing. Funding for completing each area, such as skateboard ramps, water fountains, dog park and pump track, was not funded by the City and therefore the donors were needed. 

Two years ago, bicyclist Joshua Laven was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Highway 1 near Wilder Ranch. Laven’s dog which was in the crate attached to the bike, was found by his side by a Capitola couple who were riding along the same road when they came upon the accident. Laven was riding with his beloved dog Ozzi, from Massachusetts to California to honor a friend who had died while on vacation.  The driver of the vehicle, believed to be a 1999 to 2004 Dodge Ram pickup fled the scene and has never been caught. Laven’s mother, Jenifer Putnam established a reward fund in hopes that someone would come forward with information.  Unfortunately that has not happened.

In a fitting tribute, Ozzi Dog Park Inc. was created and the unclaimed reward fund coupled with family and friends fundraising efforts will be donated to the new dog park in Capitola.  In addition, Gayles Bakery in Capitola has joined the family in their fundraising efforts and is now matching the donations that come into the donation box on the counter at Gayle’s. The foundation will receive the right to name the new dog park.