On Friday, May 16th, 2008 at 5:00pm, the City of Sunny Isles Beach will unveil the city’s first dog park, “The Bone Zone”. This dog park, a trial project, will be under consideration for 3 months, at which time the City Commission will decide if the dog park will continue and become a permanent program. The dog area “The Bone Zone” is located at the northeast end of Senator Gwen Margolis Park at 178 Drive and North Bay Road.

All dog lovers, and their dogs, are invited to join in. Dogs will be able to run free in a sanctioned unsupervised setting, and engage in friendly play. Dog parks help socialize and exercise dogs in a safe environment; promote responsible pet ownership; provide elderly and disabled owners with an accessible place to exercise their companions; and promote public health and safety.

The dog park will be divided into two sections; small dogs (under 25 pounds) and large dogs (25 pounds and over). It will contain Dogi Pot pet stations for owners to clean up after their pets, a water station to wash off or for a refreshing drink and benches for owners to relax while their dogs play and socialize. Once established, more amenities may be added such as pet play structures. A volunteer group, the Watch Dogs, will be established to assist the City in monitoring the use to keep costs down and insure that it will be a successful project. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the Cultural and Human Services Department at 305.792.1706.

• All Sunny Isles Beach residents will be welcome to use the dog park, but they will need to adhere to the following rules:
• Access into the Bone Zone must be made from the street. Dogs are still not allowed in the open area of the park.
• Dogs must be on a leash at all times until they are safely and securely in either the small dog or large dog section.
• Owners must clean-up after their dogs.
• Owners must insure that the access gates are fully closed each time they pass through them.
• As is the law in Miami-Dade County, no pit bulls allowed at any time.
• All dogs must be vaccinated and licensed in Miami-Dade County. A collar and tags should be worn at all times.
• Owners may not leave their dog at the dog park unattended.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult while in the dog park.
• Users of this facility do so at their and their pets, own risk as this is an open dog park facility.
• Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by them.
• Dogs showing aggression towards people or other animals will be removed from the park; animals that exhibit a history of aggressive behavior will not be permitted.
• Puppies using the park must be at least four months old.
• Dogs in heat are not permitted.
  

Parking for the dog park is available in marked spaces across from the park along 178 Drive. Parking in the church lot is not permitted.

The Bone Zone will be open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, from 7:30am – 8:30pm. There may be some closings during hours of operation, due to special city functions or events. These will be posted prior to the closing.

For more information on the city’s new dog park, or other happenings in Sunny Isles Beach, please contact the Cultural and Human Services Department at 305-792-1706.