Editor’s Note: A group working to persuade the City Council to designate a portion of the open space west of Bob Summers Field as a dog park, sent out the following press release late last week. Included in the group’s call to action was a letter from an Oviedo boater, Kathy Evans, expressing her view that the dog park is an important asset drawing itinerant boaters to harbor at the city’s marina.
PRESS RELEASE
The Vero Beach City Council meets at 9:30a, Tuesday, January 7 to determine the future of our four-legged family members. If they vote in favor of granting the request of The Friends of the Vero Beach Dog Exercise Area, Inc. for a dedicated, fenced, off-leash dog park at MacWilliam Park, the next step will be to gain the City voters’ blessing in the coming November elections.
Vero’s three neighboring towns, Sebastian, Ft. Pierce , and Port St. Lucie, now have dedicated dog parks. Vero is the only city that has not yet jumped on the band wagon.
The “dog exercise area” area at MacWillliam Park is a haven for dog-owning boaters from all over the country, as well as other countries. They harbor at the Vero Beach because of its amenities and facilities, but equally so for what it offers their dogs. The enclosed letter explains why.
The Friends Of The Vero Beach Dog Exercise Area, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that proposes to make substantial improvements to the existing area by creating a traditional dog park. This dog park will include fenced enclosures for both large and small dogs, enhanced landscaping, and amenities for both dogs and owners. Water fountains, seating areas, and shade trees are among these. All of these improvements and ongoing maintenance costs will be paid for by the nonprofit. The meeting on January 7 will be held in the Council chambers at the Vero Beach City Hall. It is open to the public for their comments. We encourage you to attend the meeting and support the creation of this dog park.
DATE: Monday, December 16, 2013, TO: The City Council, FROM: Kathy Evans
Hi,
It has recently come to my attention that the City Council is looking at the parcel of land next to the municipal marina and discussing possible uses. As it stands now, a lot of dog owners get to meet there with their dogs, socialize and enjoy watching the dogs play and have a wonderful time exercising with other dogs.
My husband, Wes and I live in Geneva, Florida and have been visiting Vero Beach on our boat for several years. We love staying at the Municipal Marina primarily due to the park next door. Years ago we spent several months at the Rio Bay Mar Yacht Club. We loved staying there especially since it was so close to down town, however, it lacked one very important thing…a good place to walk your dog off leash plus there were no other dogs for our dog to visit.
Ever since, we have stayed at the MM because of the park. That being said, one of the main reasons we stay at Vero Beach is because of that park. It is unique. Titusville is the only other place we stay that has a dog park.
We spend a great deal of money at the Municipal Marina on dockage and fuel. We have a 55′ Fleming Motor yacht and use this marina often as our fueling destination. That in conjunction with the dockage we pay often runs into the thousands of dollars. This in addition to all the money spent in the city on restaurants, groceries etc. If the park is taken away from all these good people and their dogs there would really remain no reason for us to stay at the MM. For that matter, there would be no reason to stop in Vero Beach. We would probably just continue south on the Intracoastal.
I can’t express enough how disappointed we would be if all of this was taken away from us and more important, the good people of Vero Beach. The last thing we need on that wonderful piece of property is another condo or a park for “people only”.
Please, for the sake of all the people and dogs that use and enjoy this beautiful little piece of land, leave it the way it is…a beautiful little piece of land.
Kathy Evans
Indian River Guardian 
On Jan. 7th let us take a moment to remember that councilwoman Pilar Turner has stated she would like to develop Vero’s dog park. She is not our friend!