Pompano is home to many eloquent and articulate citizens.

Here are the words of a few, as they turn their thoughts to the need for a dog park in our city.

We are fortunate to count them as proud members of the

POMPANO DOG PACK!

I come before you as a resident and a constituent of Pompano to implore you to reconsider funding the dog park that we are asking for.

I’m not going to quote percentages and statistics, just ask that you at least give the proposed dog park issue another look before making your final decision.  Please don’t let all our hard work and effort be for nothing.   We have waited 8 long years for the idea of a Dog Park to come to fruition and it would be extremely disheartening to have the issue tabled because of several residents that say that they are not “against the idea of a dog park, just the location of the proposed park”…. .  It’s my belief that the opponents of the proposed dog park would not be happy no matter where it was located.

Community Park was one of several locations that the Commission suggested and it was finally agreed that it would be the best possible location. The Pompano Dog Pack has complied with every request that the Commission has made relating to the proposed dog park.

At 1.4 acres, it is an ideal location, although smaller than most already established and successful dog parks, we as a community would be thrilled to be able to set up Pompano’s Dog Park on this site.

Community Park is named that way for a reason, it is designed to serve the ENTIRE community, not just a select few.  The proposed location in the southeastern most part of Community Park, is as far away as possible from the playground and “community areas” that have been spoken of in recent letters to the editor in the Pelican. As far as the statement made in the Pelican regarding a possible instance in which the pre-existing walking path would cross an area that the dogs would use to get to the dog park, this is a problem that is easily corrected.   There’s no reason why the area that the dogs and their owners would use to access the dog park could not be fenced in as well, therefore sparing individuals any kind of “trauma” they think they might incur by using the path. 

Moreover, letters to the editor of the Pelican stated the public has not been notified about meetings so they can voice their opinions.  THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD.  The dates of the commission meetings are public knowledge, notices are posted in the newspaper, the meetings are televised, the city website lists each and every meeting and it’s agenda.   Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come to the commission meetings every time they are held.  There is always a public forum in which residents can speak their mind.   There is no reason for anyone to be “out of the loop”... It is each resident’s responsibility to keep up with what’s going on.   If the issue is important to them, let them get themselves to the meeting. 

In Ms. Franklin’s most recent letter in the Pelican, she painted a Norman Rockwell picture describing the idyllic scene of children playing, basketball games going on, parties at the pavilions…dogs, she went on to say, would ruin this picture.  Not everyone agrees with Ms. Franklin’s views on this subject, and last I heard, we believe in Democracy in this country, not Monarchy.  Having influence and a family name should not be all that is necessary to make changes.  It is my belief that to nix an idea such as the Dog Park issue would be a serious error.  That is what we, the Pompano Dog Pack, are asking for…..CHANGE.  

Lastly, the Commission just recently discussed a “pet cemetery” here in Pompano..maybe we should also show some respect to the LIVING four legged members of our community as well.

Thank you for your time.   Mary Ann Doyle

My name is Brian Doyle and I live in Lyons Park Pompano Beach, Florida.

      Two years ago, our small family numbered three..  That is, until Max came into our lives unexpectedly.  He was a stray found cowering under a bush, dirty and hungry.   I was a hard sell when my wife came to me with the idea of taking this 11 pound ball of  fur into our home.  Having a dog was just not a responsibility that i thought our family had the time for…..but, as you can see, I lost that battle…now 75 pounds and 2 years later, I refer to Max as “my kid”, even though he’s really a mama’s boy…

    That being said, I’d like to speak on behalf of the Pompano Dog Pack.  As a resident of Pompano, my family and I are extremely grateful that the Commission is on board with the concept of bringing a much needed dog park to our ever growing city.      

    We feel that the creation of a dog park would greatly enhance the family oriented, small town feeling that the City of Pompano strives for.  It’s estimated that at least forty percent of the residents of Pompano own at least one dog, but unfortunately, not everyone has the advantage of having a yard for their animals.

    Pompano has been host to much new construction lately, most with very little “green space”…..I believe it would be a wise move on the Commission’s part to accommodate those residents that choose to live in this type of housing by creating a specified area for our pets that are accessible to everyone.

      Pompano is holding it’s own in running the race with many other cities to compete for new residents, families and potentially lucrative businesses…but being in the running means that Pompano has to “keep up with the Jones’”.  A community that offers a variety of amenities to residents and businesses is something that will put Pompano above the rest when a prospective buyer is considering coming into and investing in our city.

      Young families looking to put down roots, older residents looking forward to their retirement and tourists looking to spend their hard earned dollars in a place that has everything to offer within a reasonable distance…Pompano almost has it all, but it lacks a place where all those people, as well as the year round residents can go with their family AND pets and enjoy some quality time.  

      Why should we, as residents of Pompano, have to travel to other cities in order to take advantage of the facilities that they have seen fit to offer their residents?  Additionally, with the ever rising cost of gasoline, who would want to?  Pompano has the available space for a dog park and the support of many residents that would patronize the park on a daily basis, given the opportunity. 

      Having a dog park located in our city would encourage citizens to come together for a common cause…lets face it, who doesn’t like to brag about their “kids?” even if their kids have four legs and fur…???   For as much love and joy that dogs bring into people’s lives, don’t our furry children deserve a place of their own? 

      In closing, I would like to encourage you to continue in your support of a dog park in Pompano Beach.  We feel that it will be a wonderful addition to our city and something to be enjoyed for years to come….Thanks for your time!

 

November 26, 2007

By Donna Torrey

Most people come before the commission to complain, but I am here tonight to extend my thanks to Commissioner Hardin, City Manager Chadwell, Tim Tracey with Parks and Recreation, and Rob McCaughn, with Public works.  All of them have worked together to propose a plan for The Pompano Dog Park, which will be located in Community Park. 

I also want to thank Lisa Hamburg, who has brought this public need to the forefront.  I encourage everyone to check out her website: Pompanodogpark.com. 

Most of the cities in Broward County have at least one dog park.  They are just as important as providing jogging paths, ball fields, and other recreation.

Here are stats from the humane society of the United States.....

a.. There are approximately 73 million owned dogs in the United States

a.. Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog

a.. Most owners (60 percent) own one dog

a.. Twenty-five percent of owners own two dogs

a.. Fourteen percent of owners own three or more dogs

a.. On average, owners have almost two dogs (1.7)

Dogs are here to stay, and providing an attractive area for them to play and socialize, will result in a higher quality of life for all.  The cities and developments of the future will be dog friendly, because there’s only one thing that people are more passionate about than their children, and that’s their dogs.

Thank you city officials, for hearing the people, and moving to implement their wishes.  I hope that we can count on your votes in the near future.

We’ll see you at the Yuletide on Atlantic Parade!