Following years of development and months of construction, the Founders Park Dog Park was finally ready to unveil its new changes and upgrades, inviting residents and local dog owners to attend a leash-cutting ceremony on the evening of June 6.
Dozens of dogs and their owners attended the event in celebration of the changes, which were directly organized and inspired by feedback from the dog park’s community.
Two years ago, Founders Park received a grant from Monroe County’s Tourist Development Council. Knowing its significance as the most popular dog park in Islamorada, the staff at Founders Park decided to allocate funds to beautifying and improving the dog park.
Over the next few months, several meetings were held at the dog park to determine what changes its visitors most desired.
“We are constantly looking for input from our residents,” said Maria Bagiotti, the director at Founders Park. “Residents and dog owners gave their input, which inspired the majority of the changes.”
Many months and planning periods later, the major changes were constructed. The construction period, which lasted several weeks starting at the end of February, necessitated a brief closure of the dog park.
On the night of the ceremony, regular visitors could see the full extent of the changes for which they had advocated. New asphalt paths had been paved to make the park handicap accessible. Tiki structures and benches were built, offering both shade and comfort to dog owners. Drinking fountains were added, with some providing water for humans and others providing for their canine companions. An entire splash pad area was added, as well as newly-built dog bathing stations.
Sharon Sherman, who brought her dogs, Princess and Mr. Doodles, to the ceremony, said of the park, “I just like that it gives my dogs a place to come and work out their energy so they don’t get in trouble at home. I’m very impressed with the changes.”
Another regular visitor for several years said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the changes. “I think they did a great job with the money they had.”
Founders Park has long offered its dog park as a service to Keys residents.
“I think it’s not only an asset for the humans that come here, but for the dogs,” Bagiotti said. “It has a social aspect, it provides recreation, and it provides exercise. It’s a community gathering area, and it’s a necessity from what I see.”
