JIM WELLES

No truer words were ever spoken than “If you build it they will come” (from Field of Dreams). Since the day the gate was opened to the recently completed fence at the newly leased Vero Beach Dog Park, every day brings a steady flow of new K-9 and human faces. The fence itself accounts for a good deal of this, but the fact that it has small and large dog enclosures has made it even more appealing.

The Friends Of The Vero Beach Dog Exercise Area, Inc., ( d/b/a Vero Beach Dog Park), a Florida nonprofit with 501(c)3 charity status pending, is now moving ahead with Phase II of improvements in the way of amenities and further beautification of the park such as landscaping, water and electric service, and shaded seating areas with canopies similar to those in Humiston Park. The park is entirely self-supporting with no subsidy from the City.

The park is open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk, open to the public with or without dogs, free of charge.

There will be a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony held at the dog park located at 3449 Indian River Drive East at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 8, 2014. Professional dog trainers will be giving demonstrations, as well as exhibitions by the Sheriff’s K-9 unit. We are also expecting some surprise guests.

More information may be found on www.verodogpark.org where tax deductible donations can be made by check or credit card to the Vero Beach Dog Park’s fiscal partnering agent, the Indian River Community Foundation.