Topnotch Dog Park Comes to Bonita Springs. Get Ready to Bark in Excitement

You can find many state-of-the-art homes in Bonita Springs—but no topnotch dog park—until now, according to this article from the Naples Daily News.

“We’ve heard from our residents that they want it. If we’re going to do it, we just need to do it top-notch,” said Councilwoman Janet Martin. “It shouldn’t be a quasi-halfway thing. Bonita Springs needs to put our stamp on it and say, ‘We did it right.’”

And it certainly sounds like they are.

The Bonita Springs City Council unanimously voted to increase the construction cost of the 6 1/2-acre dog park on the Mayhood Property to an estimated $360,035, up from $300,000, after hearing the city’s parks and recreation director Nicole Perino’s presentation.

“Our community is looking forward to this,” said Perino.

Construction of the dog park, located at the north side of East Terry Street and Matheson Avenue, could begin as early as June—just in time for summer.

Budget Woes

But the proposed park is almost $93,000 over budget.

Perino said some of the major costs are going to be for the vinyl coats chain link fence that blends into the environment for a cool $33,825; irrigation for a whopping $50,043; and sod for $45,872.75.

The funds would come out of the park impact fees, which can be used, Perino said.

The Rundown

The proposed park is expected to be divided into areas for dogs of all sizes from teacup-sized dogs to small and large dogs.

The nearly 18-acre site will also be pedestrian-and bicycle-friendly.

And there will likely be a dog wash station, picnic pavilion and an asphalt walking and biking trail.

The county hasn’t forgotten about the park’s original occupants either.

10 acres of the western part of the park will be reserved for gopher tortoises.

“We definitely went out there for unique and different to bring to our dog park,” said Perino.

And it sounds like they’ve nailed it.