Improvements underway on dog-friendly amenities at Chapman Field Park

(MIAMI, July 15, 2014) —  The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department advises that starting today, July 15, 2014, the dog-friendly area on the east end of Chapman Field Park, located at 13601 Deering Bay Drive in Coral Gables, will temporarily close as work has begun on developing a new Dog Run Park at this site that will allow dogs to run around unleashed.  The improvement project will include the addition of new fencing, sodding, benches, ADA walkways, trash receptacles, and access gates.  During construction, the connecting dog-friendly walk and canoe launch parking area will remain open on weekends and holidays, as every effort is being made to minimize disruptions to public access at this site. 

“We appreciate the support and interest expressed by the dog-owners in this community and look forward to working with them on developing more great dog-friendly amenities for them to enjoy with their canine companions,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys. 

The nine-acre dog-friendly site spans from the entrance at the canoe launch to the open-field area within the turn-around at the eastern edge of the property. The site currently contains “doggie-bag” dispensers and trash cans, as well as signs to remind visitors of proper park etiquette, leash and dog waste laws.  

Chapman Field Park is a 566-acre-waterfront park that also features 350 acres of pristine mangrove forest, a canoe launch and three lighted ball fields.  For directions and more information, call (305) 665-3837, or visit Miami-Dade Parks on the web at www.miamidade.gov/parks. 

About Miami-Dade County Parks’ Dog Recreation Areas:

In 2007, Miami-Dade County developed a plan to construct several Dog or “Paw” Parks throughout the county, in response to community request for these facilities.  To help dog lovers enjoy their fun-loving barking pets outdoors Miami-Dade Parks offers three different types of parks to play in: Dog Friendly Parks for leashed dogs, and Dog Parks and Dog Run Parks where dogs can freely roam within a fenced-off area. 

Dog owners can now stroll, run and play with their dogs at 15 neighborhood Dog-Friendly Parks, so as long as their dogs are on a leash, and provide bag dispensers and waste baskets for owners to clean up after their dogs.  Miami-Dade County Parks’ Dog-Friendly Parks include:  Acadia Park, Biscayne Shores and Gardens Park, Coral Villas Park, Chapman Field Park, Deerwood Bonita Lakes Park, Highland Oaks Park, Kevin Broils Park, Kings Meadow Park, Military Trail Park, Olympic Park, Rockdale Park, San Jacinto Park, Snapper Creek Park, Spanish Lake Park, Tamiami Trail Park, and West Kendale Lakes Park. 

Miami-Dade County Parks has five regional Dog Parks:  Haulover Park, Tropical Park, Amelia Earhart Park, Greynolds Park, and West Kendall District Park.   There are also two additional Dog-Run Parks at A.D. “Doug” Barnes Park and Lago Mar Park, where dogs can run around unleashed, but which don’t provide the amenities found in a dog park.  

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department: 

Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land.  It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world.  Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.  For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/. 

Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County’s world-class parks system for residents and visitors.  Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities.  For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.liveaparklife.org.

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