Fifty-five new trees planted at Vero Beach Dog Park

Fifty-five threes of six varieties were planted this weekend at the Vero Beach Dog Park. Another 10 trees are pledged. The off-leash dog park, open to all, continues to grow in popularity and is drawing regular visitors from throughout the county. — Fifty-five trees of six varieties were planted this weekend at the Vero Beach Dog Park. Another 10 trees are pledged. The off-leash dog park, open to all, continues to grow in popularity and is drawing regular visitors from throughout the county.

NEWS RELEASE

Delivering on its promise to make improvements to land now leased from the City, the Friends of the Vero Beach Dog Park Exercise Area this past weekend planted 55 trees of six varieties. Another 10 trees are pledged. All the improvements recently made to the Park, including fencing, signs, water supply and landscaping have been paid for through private contributions.

The Vero Beach Dog Park is operated by The Friends Of the Vero Beach Dog Exercise Area, and non-profit group that leases the land from the City. — The Vero Beach Dog Park is operated by The Friends Of the Vero Beach Dog Park Exercise Area, a non-profit group that leases the land from the City. The Park, recently fenced in and landscaped with private funds, is open to the public free of charge.

The group recently formed a meet-and-greet team calling themselves Dog Park Ambassadors. Their mission is welcome newcomers to the park, as well as to inform them about the provisions of the group’s lease with the City and plans for further park improvements. New visitors to the Park, which is free and open to all, are also offered an opportunity to join the Dog Park Angels and to receive group e-mails keeping them abreast of events, notices and issues.

Dog park etiquette is heavily stressed by the ambassadors as well as the need for all dog park visitors to donate to the best of their ability to ensure that the Vero Beach Dog Park thrives and survives. There are also always volunteer opportunities for those who are willing to give of their time.

The Vero Beach Dog Park is leased, managed, operated, maintained, and 100 percent funded by a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 charity status, named The Friends Of The Vero Beach Dog Exercise Area, Inc. d/b/a Vero Beach Dog Park. Other than a lease from the City at $25 per year, the group receives no financial assistance from the City in making improvements to the property and in operating and maintaining the 5.8 acre off-leash dog park.