Let there be light at the Bark Park
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Shakespeare and his owner, Jennifer Smith, enjoy the park south of Shoreline Drive

Soon Fido will be able to chase his favorite ragged tennis ball at Shoreline Bark Park after dark. The city's dog park, which officially opened to the public in November, will soon feature lighting.

"The city is getting ready to invest $5,000 for lights," said parks and recreation director Ron Pulley. $3,500 of that money came from the Gulf Breeze Dog Lover's Association (GBDL). Pulley said the city will purchase and install four street level lights to illuminate the facility.

The city official added that the park, located south of Shoreline Drive across from the rec center, is one of the most efficient projects in his department.

"The Bark Park is an example of how local government is supposed to work," Pulley said, describing the passion conveyed by members of GBDL. "This is a model relationship between a city and its citizens."

The park's existence is a direct result of that passion and the creation of GBDL, which is a nonprofit

group largely responsible for the park's creation and maintenance. GBDL members have collected thousands of dollars to improve the facility and are now preparing for their next major fundraising campaign - Pet Fest.

The three-hour event, sponsored by the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce, will take place April 21 beginning at 11 a.m. at the park. The event will feature contests, demonstrations, plenty of free giveaways and all proceeds will be donated to GBDL.

"We're fairly well funded and [the proceeds] will all go back into the park and the community," said Carolyn Whitman, President of GBDL.

The park will also be officially dedicated to the memory of Nancy Keyes, a well-known Gulf Breeze resident and dog lover who passed away in 2001, during the celebration on the 21st.

"Nancy was a long-time chamber member and she supported dogs in Gulf Breeze," Whitman said. "She was very personable and well liked."

The Keyes family donated $3,000 to GBDL and Baskin Robbins in Gulf Breeze provided the remaining $500. The Chamber's director, Meg Peltier, said GBDL is considering a memorial for the beloved canine proponent, which may include a bronze statue or a water fountain.

"We're looking at lots of ideas," Peltier said. "If anyone has an idea, they should feel free to submit it. It's all open right now."

For more information about GBDL, visit them online at www.gulfbreezedoglovers.org. For more information visit www.gulfbreezechamber.com.