INDIAN SHORES –Sometime soon one may hear a bark in a park in Indian Shores. The Town Council voted unanimously on Nov. 14 to seek grant funds to establish a dog park on city property adjacent to the Inland waterway.
The town was recently notified by the county that grant funds for recreation projects are available to municipalities provided that any programs developed from those funds are available to citizens in the unincorporated areas of the county.
The application, which was submitted to the county on Nov. 15, would provide for an 8,400-square-foot park, enclosed by a plastic coated chain link fence. The park would be located south of the Vista Bay Tennis court where 191st Avenue East abuts the Intracoastal Waterway.
Amenities for dogs and their owners would be provided, including a gazebo and benches. The park would be handicapped accessible.
Town Administrator E.D. Williams said, “I recommend approval to apply (for the grant) because I feel this is an important project and we have limited green space for the purpose of exercising one’s pet.”
The park would join other area paw parks, including Pinellas County’s Anderson, Boca Ciega, Sand Key, Walsingham, Chestnut and Fort DeSoto parks.
St. Petersburg has dog parks at North Shore, Lake Vista, Walter Fuller, Crescent Lake, and Coquina Key.
Dog parks typically have water troughs for the dogs and free bags to scoop up Fido’s business. Some parks, such as the Walter Fuller Park in St. Petersburg, have additional small fenced-in “time-out” areas for any over rambunctious pet.
Man’s best friend has never before been welcomed into the American family as he is today. According to the National Pet Owners’ Association’s 2005-2006 survey, 43.5 percent of U.S. households own dogs. There are 73.9 million dogs in the United States, an increase of 9 million in only two years.
New palm trees
The council approved an offer from Ty’s Tree Service to plant 38 Sabel palms on gulf side street ends. The cost of each palm is $185 for a total expenditure of $7,030. Funds will come from a grant and the city’s reserve beautification funds.
Police to get new body armor
The police department will be getting new body armor vests to replace outdated vests. Four additional vests with defective material also will be replaced. The new vests will be funded by a matching grant from the Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance.
