The dogs already are having their days in the park, but if all goes well, construction will begin late this year to open up some people space at what is now known as the Larwin Park site.

The 22-acre site east of El Camino Real and north of Carlsbad Village Drive was given to the city in the 1970s by developers in that area, and it was earmarked to include illuminated ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, barbecue pits and a large picnic area.

But, because of environmental issues and neighboring residents' concerns about increased traffic, noise, lights and vandalism, only 3.5 acres will be turned into a passive park for people. The park, featuring grass, some picnic tables and benches, a couple of tot lots, a restroom building, parking and trails, will be built by volunteers.

Some of the land is too hilly to develop. And a large portion of the site has environmental constraints. The coastal sage scrub and the nesting areas for the so-called threatened California gnatcatcher must be preserved.

Fortunately, the 13,200-square-foot dog park that opened on a trial basis on the Larwin site in September, 2001, will become a permanent part of the park, and it will include more parking spaces for pet owners.

Because the city always looks for input from the community when putting in a new park, it asked for suggestions for a new name, and those will be reviewed by parks and recreation commissioners at their meeting Monday night.

Two names got the most nominations: Village Park and Carl Miller Park. Carl, who had a 40-year career at Carlsbad High School teaching biology and coaching baseball and football, is also known for his surfing skills.

Next in line was Buddy Lewis, our mayor who has served on the City Council since 1970, followed by Marron Park, Carlsbad Village Park and Ray Ede (the city's mayor in 1955-1956) Park.

Other names on the list include: Elm, Power Line, Vancouver, Ledgerwood, Spinnaker Point, Hidden Canyon, Tanglewood, Margarette Brownley, Larwin, Tamara Dixon, Real Village, Ladera (Spanish for Hillside), Esperanza (Spanish for Hope), Hill, Karlsbad Royal, Alt, Ocean Breeze, La Paz, Parque Carlitos (Spanish for Little Carlos Park), Valley View, Lancer and Chestnut Hills.

Fifth- and sixth-graders also got involved, coming up with many dog-related names, such as Doglandia, Dogville, Rover and Bow-Wow.

Surprisingly, the one name that wasn't on the list that should be there is the Ann L'Heureux Park.

Ann L'Heureux is the woman who hounded and harassed city officials for more than five years to get Carlsbad to cough up almost $40,000 and put in the city's first and only dog park.

Ann L'Heureux is the woman Mayor Bud Lewis called "the driving force behind the dog park."

Ann L'Heureux is the woman who brought her dog, Fletcher, on opening day so he could cut the ceremonial ribbon and greet his four-legged friends.

Ann L'Heureux is someone who has made a significant contribution to the city, which is now filled with happy dogs and happy owners.

Barbara Brill, a North County Times columnist, is a free-lance writer who has lived in Carlsbad since 1971. Contact: bbrill2@juno.comr