SHORT TAKES:Nonprofit group seeks sponsors for Bark Park

The difficulty of maintaining Costa Mesa’s Bark Park, and especially its grass, has led the nonprofit foundation that operates it to ask permission to seek sponsors. Since opening in 1994, the popular public dog park has operated with money from donations and fundraising events held by the foundation.

An agreement between the city and Bark Park Foundation bans advertising at the park, and the city’s municipal code prohibits ads on city facilities, city recreation manager Jana Ransom said.

An exception was made for the skate park, which is sponsored by skate-wear maker Volcom, and Bark Park supporters want the same waiver.

The city parks commission on Wednesday agreed to recommend that the City Council allow Bark Park sponsorships, which could help replace the park’s grass. The council will take up the issue in the future.

— Alicia Robinson