Pups and owners both approve of new stretch of dog-friendly beach

Keltie McCormick from Port Orange had a delightful experience as she took her loyal companion, Jing Jing, to the beach for the very first time on Saturday morning. She already plans to visit Volusia County’s new dog-friendly beach multiple times a week in the future. McCormick couldn’t help but notice just how fascinated her Pekingese was with the water and sand, as Jing Jing reveled in the opportunity to delve into both.

Another beachgoer, Bella Mack, also enjoyed a lovely outing with her 6-month-old Golden Retriever, Whiskey, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Ormond Beach’s newly designated dog beach area on November 4, 2023. The event at Andy Romano Beachfront Park marked the first dog-friendly beach in Volusia County in more than 30 years.

This half-mile stretch between Milsap Road and Rockefeller Drive opened its sandy shores to canine companions on Wednesday, granting them the chance to experience the beach from sunrise to sunset. However, there are a few rules that must be followed. Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets, keeping them on a leash no longer than six feet, and providing proof of rabies vaccination. Additionally, the dunes and wildlife must be respected and protected.

The addition of a dog-friendly beach in this location has been long overdue, according to Dixie Scudiero from Ormond Beach. She expressed her excitement for Tyson, her beloved Bullmastiff, to have a much closer dog park than the one in Ponce Inlet. Huguette Shields, who recently moved from Texas to Daytona Beach, shared a similar sentiment, stating her surprise over the lack of dog parks in the county. Shields reminisced about the ease with which she could bring her dog everywhere in Texas, including the beaches. Now that the Ormond Beach park is available, Shields intends to bring her dachshund, Lulu, to the beach on a daily basis, despite Lulu’s unfamiliarity with walking on the sand.

The realization of Volusia County’s dog-friendly beach was spearheaded by District 4 Councilman Troy Kent, who proposed the idea during his first council meeting and has been instrumental in its development since then. Kent expressed gratitude for being able to deliver this long-awaited experience to the community. Nancy and Lowell Lohman from Ormond Beach also played a significant role by contributing $100,000 towards the program costs. Nancy highlighted the importance of dog walking as a healthy alternative for exercise and emphasized that the park would contribute to tourism and economic growth in Volusia County, as many restaurants and hotels are pet-friendly.

Volusia County Council Chairman Jeff Brower concluded the ribbon-cutting ceremony by acknowledging the community’s collective efforts. He encouraged the public to continue expressing their opinions and advocating for necessary changes, acknowledging that when the community works together, they can achieve remarkable outcomes.

Original article from The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County Dog Park Ribbon Cutting Event.

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Olivia Carter

Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.