In Florida, Volusia County is gearing up to open its first dog-friendly beach in over three decades. This groundbreaking initiative is part of an 18-month pilot program, giving canines the opportunity to enjoy the sun and sand with their beloved owners.
Florida dog beach to open in November
In July, the Volusia County Council gave the green light for a proposal that allows dogs on a 0.6-mile segment of beach, stretching from Rockefeller Drive to Milsap Road in Ormond Beach.
Starting Nov. 1, this beach area will be open to canine companions. In addition, it will be marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the county on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m.
In order to ensure safety, pet owners are required to keep their dogs on leashes. Moreover, this dog-friendly beach area will be accessible from sunrise to sunset — according to officials.
As per Click Orlando, a news release, in part, stated: “Residents and visitors alike will revel in community interaction and outdoor recreational experiences through this dog-friendly section on the beach.”
Funding and costs of the pilot program
Nanette McKeel Petrella stated, “Our main purpose is to have a safe, environmentally sound, dog-friendly beach” with pups who will be “courteous to all people.” She is the President of Daytona Dog Beach Inc. — the organization behind this latest attempt to create a dog beach.
Back in July, News 6 highlighted the costs tied to the pilot program, which include:
- $2,754 for the installation of 26 dispensers
- $6,000 in annual expenses for bags used in the dispensers
- $54,500 to employ a full-time animal control officer for rule enforcement
- $17,000 for yearly operational costs
- $25,000 for one-time equipment expenses
However, McKeel Petrella shared that — thanks to contributions from private donors and their organizations’ funds — the county wouldn’t need to cover any of these costs.
