March 30 2001 – Sun Sentinel – Permanent site will come in about a year by Kathy Bushouse
After several years of hounding by dog lovers, the city is set to open a two-acre park devoted to dogs, allowing them the freedom to romp leash-less with other canines-as long as they get along.
Following the national trend, Boca Raton spent $63,000 to open the temporary dog park on land inside the T-Rex Technology Center at Boca Raton. The park opens at 10am Saturday and will remain in that location until the city can find a more permanent site.
Boca Raton�s dog park will be the second such facility in the county, and city officials are expecting it to be popular with dogs and dog owners form both Palm Beach and Broward counties.
“It is hard to tell how many folks are going to turn out,” said Cherie Levinson, management assistant for the city�s recreation services department.”We understand that when Delray opened their park, there were two or three hundred people that showed up with pets.”
Boca Raton�s park will separate the big dogs from the little small dogs. One acre will be restricted to dogs 30 pounds or less, and the other acres will be for the larger dogs. The park has two pavilions and water fountains, which were already existing on the property. The city added benches for people and fencing to enclose the park.
The dog park, which is free and open to the public, will open daily from 9 am to dusk daily except Wednesdays, when the park opens at noon.
Levinson said she thinks dog owners will be able to keep a handle on their dogs, even though they can be unleashed.”Usually, what I�ve observed is that people have good control of their dogs, Levinson said.”They usually stand around where the dog is close by. It does not seem to be a problem.”
Delray Beach�s 2.5-acre dog playground is in Lake Ida Park, 2929 Lake Ida Road, and is operated by Palm Beach County. It opened last July, and since January averages 2,900 dogs a week.
“How do we calculate that? Simply by how many doggie bags have disappeared,” said Ann Manning, the sponsorship coordinator for the Delray Beach dog park who raises money for the disposable bags dog owners use to clean up after their pets. “This is true science, you realize.”
Manning said the park has been overwhelmed with dogs, and positive responses to the park, since it opened its gates.
“When you do something for people�s animal.”It�s like doing it for their children,” she said.
“People are so attached to their dogs, and really we were just fortunate to come at the right time.”
The city still is scouting for a permanent site for its dog park and most likely will set aside a few acres out of the more than 300 acres the city owns near the T-Rex office park.
A permanent site likely won�t be chosen for at least another year.
BOCA RATON DOG PARK RULES
Dog owners using the Boca Raton Dog Park must abide by the following rules:
- Dog owners must clean up after their pets. Disposable bags are available at dispensers throughout the park.
- Dog owners must remain in the dog park enclosure within view of their dog.
- Dogs must be leashed prior to entering and upon leaving the dog park.
- No more than two dogs per person.
- Dog owners must have a leash in hand at all times.
- Dogs must be vaccinated and wear their current license tags.