Staff Report
Parks and Community Events Commission
Item No. 2.E
Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
From: John A. Corella, Director of Public Works
Sponsors: Vice Chair Antonio Baciu and Chair Erin Hyland Title: Halloween Dog Costume Event at the Panorama Dog Park October 2026 RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend the Parks and Community Events Commission (PACE) approve the continuation of the Halloween Dog Costume Event at the Panorama Dog Park on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and authorize allocation of $500 from the PACE Small Events Budget and forward the program and funding request to the City Council for final consideration and approval.
BACKGROUND:
The Parks and Community Events Commission (PACE) is dedicated to promoting community engagement and enhancing awareness of the city’s park resources. As part of the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget, PACE was allocated $10,000 annually to support small- scale events in city parks. Funds may be used for services, materials, or a combination of both, with proposals reviewed and recommended by PACE before City Council consideration.
DISCUSSION:
PACE Continues to initiate events that engage the community and highlight City Park amenities. The Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest 2026 marks the fourth year of this popular community event at the Panorama dog park.
The event consistently attracts between 150 to 225 attendees, including residents and their dogs, and has become a well-loved tradition. Participants and spectators enjoy the creativity of the costumes, contributing to a lively and engaging atmosphere. The event provides an opportunity to showcase the city's Panorama dog park while bringing residents together for a fun, family-friendly community celebration.
The particulars for the 2026 event are as follows:
Event Date: Saturday October 24, 2026 (day before Spooktacular) Time: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Location: Panorama Dog Park
Minimum Volunteers: 8
Budget: $500 for event materials, banners and promotional flyers Prizes will continue to be supported through donations from local vendors, consistent with prior years.
The programs listed below are included on tonight's agenda for consideration by the Commission and have not yet been approved. The funding amounts shown represent proposed allocations, and the chart below reflects a potential budget scenario if all programs are approved.
Event Name Location Funding Request
Yoga in the- Park Amphitheater $ 3,100
Halloween Dog Contest Panorama $ 500
Free Movies for Kids Summer Mary Pickford $ 1,100
Paint with PACE Library $ 1,200
Feliz Navi Dog Esperanza $ 500
PACE FY 26/27 Annual Allocation Amount $10,000
Total Proposed $ 6,400
If approved as proposed, the remaining PACE Small Events budget for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 will be $3,600.
Given the strong attendance and positive community response, continuation of this event represents a valuable use of PACE funds and supports the city's mission to provide recreational and community engagement opportunities.
FUNDING SOURCE:
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2026-2027 Halloween Dog
Contest
100-500-510-
511-8300-8301 MO3511 $500 One Time
2026-2027 Total $500