City to consider off-leash Dog Park

At the Nov 2, regular scheduled meeting the Apalachicola City Commission tabled a request from Caroline Ilardi until its December meeting to establish a doggie park inside the fenced area at the former Apalachicola High School football practice field.

Ilardi presented a letter addressed to the commission from Tim and Laura Lowe, owners of Petunia’s a local specialty boutique shop for pets and their owners.

“The topic of a dog park in Apalachicola is a timely one”, wrote the Lowe’s.

“As a business owner with a store geared toward dogs this idea has often come up. The interest is not only among members of our community but also with our visitors. Many times an inquiry is made asking about a park or other place to let dogs run off-leash. I think the proposal under consideration is of great value. As an addition to things to do while visiting Apalachicola, it can benefit businesses like mine and others. We are proud that Apalachicola is known as a dog friendly place to live and destination”, concluded the Lowe’s letter.

Ilardi told the commission that the group requesting the park and participants have drafted rules to govern the parks operation and that a designated volunteer would be responsible for clean up.

The plan calls for establishing separate areas for both large and small dogs where the animals can roam freely off leash to play and socialize with other pets.

City Commissioner Brenda Ash asked for more time to review the proposal.