South Florida Opens Gates To Newest Dog Park

Betty Kruetzkamp of Miami and her baby, aptly named Baby, relax under the shade of a tent at East Greynolds Park in North Miami Beach, Fla., on Saturday.

Babys long pink tongue is hanging out, panting from the South Florida heat. The little black mutt, with a face peppered in gray, is blissful lounging in her owners arms while they both celebrate the opening of Miamis newest dog park.

"Shes my angel from heaven," said Kruetzkamp as Baby enthusiastically licks her owners face. "Shes full of kisses."

The Northeast Regional Dog park officially opened its gates on Saturday at their ribbon cutting ceremony, where scores of dogs and their owners showed up in support.

Miami-Dade County, Fla., Commissioner Sally Heyman, who spearheaded the project, showed up to watch a park just under a year in the making become an integral part of the community.

"Parks are made for family enjoyment," said Heyman. "We started looking at things and thinking that we can make it pet friendly."

Joked Heyman in her speech, "Its a place where dogs can bring their owners."

East Greynolds Park seemed like the ideal place to build a dog park for Heyman and her supporters. "The reality is that it was underutilized," Heyman said. "We have modernized the park and now it's going to be good for family use."

For Heyman family and community was key. Before the gates even offically opened Heyman noticed a positive response.

"We started seeing people come with their dogs and picnic," Heyman said.

Assistant to the director for Miami-Dade Parks and Recreations Jose Toledo agrees. "You can make it a weekly event," Toledo said. "You have picnic tables and everything. You can make it a family event."

The dog park, which includes hosing, watering and clean-up stations, also consists of two seperate play areas, one for large dogs and one for small ones.

The cost of construction, which came to a little under $200,000, was funded in part by the cooperation of several cities set to utilize it. Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation designed the park while other cities funded different components.

An array of dogs, from pugs to labs to German sheperds, arrived early to receive free "doggie bags" from the present Petsmart store. Frisbees, tennis balls, and food samples were among the door prizes canines and their owners walked away with.

The Humane Society of Greater Miami also showed up in support of the event. For them, the 1.76 acre dog park is a needed addition to the community.

"It provides an area for animal lovers to gather and share time together," said Emily Marquez-Dulin, executive director of the Humane Society of Greater Miami.

Miami-Dade Animal Services even gave people a chance to bring home a furry companion. Dogs currently up for adoption were presented at the opening.

One tiny brown and white mutt, which eagerly bared his belly for a little girl to rub, wore a little yellow and red handkerchief around his neck that read "adopt me please", designed to melt any dog lovers heart.

The dog park, which will eventually include shade structures and more water stations, is open from sunrise till sunset and costs $5 per car on the weekends. Annual passes are also available for $80.

For more information on the Northeast Regional Dog Park call Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation or visit their website.