Seminole park to unleash dog fun

The county's third Paw Playground readies a carpet of grass for the romping pleasure of canine guests.

By MAUREEN BYRNE AHERN
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 26, 2002

SEMINOLE -- Right now it's a barren patch of land, but within three months an area of Boca Ciega Millennium Park will be a gathering place for dogs of all sizes.

Park employees are transforming 11/2 acres into the county park system's third Paw Playground. One exists in Fort De Soto Park at the southern tip of Pinellas, and another is at Anderson Park in Tarpon Springs. Walsingham Park in Seminole also is slated to get a dog park.

The land has been graded. The irrigation system is being installed. And a fence is going up.

"And, as of Tuesday, we get to watch grass grow," said park supervisor Judy Jarosz.

That's when workers will plant grass plugs that are expected to take up to three months to blanket the ground. The county decided to use plugs instead of sod because it's less expensive, Jarosz said.

The type of grass is seashore paspalum, a sturdy variety frequently used for athletic fields and golf courses. "With the traffic of the dogs, it should be able to hold its own a lot longer," Jarosz said.

In addition to romping in a grassy area, dogs will be able to cool off at drinking stations -- at which owners can fill water bowls -- and at cooling stations -- where masters can hose off their four-legged friends.

The dog park will have an area for large breeds and another for small dogs.

Jarosz said that about 30 percent of the people who visit Boca Ciega Millennium Park, at 12410 Old Oakhurst Road, which abuts Boca Ciega Bay, bring their dogs.

One of 15 county parks, Boca Ciega Millennium Park has a canoe and kayak launch, children's playground, nature trail, seven picnic shelters and a bicycle and pedestrian path. It opened in April 2001.

St. Petersburg offers a handful of dog parks, including a popular one at Crescent Lake Park. Largo opened a dog park in April in Northeast Park off East Bay Drive.

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