Two dogs who have the park all to themselves
go for a good romp Monday afternoon.
MIKE FIELD | SUN
HOLMES BEACH – Beautification board members agreed on a set of rules for the dog park presented by Bob Longworth at last week’s meeting.
Before presenting the rules, Longworth, the board’s liaison to the dog park, praised Barbara Parkman, the park’s de facto caretaker.
“Barbara is doing a marvelous job,” Longworth said. “The dog park is going to be a thing of beauty. The fountain is being done. We have labor donated by Connie’s Landscaping.
“Barbara has done a wonderful job in putting pavers around the water fountain spigots for the dogs. She is doing a wonderful job of maintaining the plants and bushes there.”
He said the next priority is laying pavers from the gates to the pavilion and that the small dog park could be put off until the pavers are installed.
“Thanks to the mayor for restoring the poop bags and also that park is getting a phenomenal amount of usage,” he continued.
Chair Melissa Synder said people want the small dog park now, and Longworth said Parkman raised $725 through a yard sale and donations to help pay for park enhancements.
“We already have the fence,” Marilyn Shirley stressed and Snyder added. “The mayor says we have it, but it doesn’t get done.”
Longworth presented a list of suggested park rules provided by Manatee County Animal Control with a few changes. He said some would be posted at the gate and the remainder inside the pavilion.
Joan Haiss suggested reorganizing the rules so they are easier to read, and Longworth said he would refine them and bring them to the next meeting for approval.
In other business:
• Members agreed to celebrate National Arbor Day by planting a Southern red cedar along the canal at 77th Street and Marina Drive on Friday, April 26, at 9:30 a.m.
• Voted to plant 10 silver buttonwoods along Marina Drive at 63rd Street.
• Set their next and final meeting of the season for Wednesday, May 1, at 5 p.m.
THE RULES
The Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Board approved the following dog park rules:
• Aggressive dogs not allowed;
• Dogs must wear a current license tag and have a current rabies vaccination;
• Dogs must be leased when entering and exiting the park;
• All dogs within the fence must be off leash;
• Choke collars are prohibited;
• Dog owners must be present with leash and in view of their dogs at all times;
• Dogs must be under voice control at all times;
• Dog feces must be picked up and disposed of by the owner;
• Owners must immediately fill in any holes dug by their dogs;
• People food is prohibited inside the park;
•Alcoholic beverage consumption is prohibited inside the park;
• The small dog area is for small, fragile or elderly canine visitors;
• Children may accompany the family pet if they are under the direct supervision of an adult;
• In all cases, owners are responsible for the action of their dogs;
• Canine and human visitors enter at their own risk; the city of Holmes Beach cannot be responsible for injuries to visiting dogs, their owners or others using the park;
• Dogs in heat are not allowed in the park..