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| Click here Bunche Beach Invitation |
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| link: SOODA NEWS |
Welcome to the Dog Beach Website!
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| Dog Beach Entrance |
Dog Beach History Dog Beach is a coastal tideland area in south Lee County, that people
used to Exercise & Recreate with their dogs for over 25 years. In 1995 Lee County signed a 50-Year Lease to the State
for Carl Johnson County Park. Dog Beach was included in that lease and the State did not enforce their Leash Regulations.
For five years there were no signs until January of 2000. A large Sign was erected with the Leash (Regulation) Icon at the
entrance to Dog Beach. The very next day Pat & Mary DeVincent sat down with then-Park Manager Jim Gibson to determine
what had to be done to re-open Dog Beach for continued Off-Leash Exercise & Recreation use.
All indications were
the State would allow Dog Beach to be re-opened, based on historical & prior use - but the State subsequently reversed
its posture - issued warnings & then Off-Leash Tickets that carried a $75.00 fine. Two 'Not Guilty' Pleas &
subsequent Pro Bono (free) Defense by Attorney Mike Carr - caused CNN to make Dog Beach a National Story! SOODA members collected
over 2300 Signatures.
On Nov. 9, 2000 the State made a proposal to 'give Dog Beach back' to Lee County. Dog Beach
was placed on the Dec. Mgt & Planning Agenda that resulted in a second M&P Presentation in January of 2001. Dog Beach
was finally elevated to the February Board of Lee County Commissioners Agenda for a vote. The Commissioners approved
Dog Beach by a 4-1 Vote. We have now had 6-Wonderful years of local, national & international Dog Beach Fun & Recreation!
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
LEE COUNTY OFF-LEASH DOG BEACH - RIBBON CUTTING
CEREMONY!
The ceremony
took place @ the entrance to Dog Beach on Friday, June 15, 2001 at 3:00 PM. County Commissioner Ray Judah was Master of Ceremonies
and did a wonderful job recognizing the efforts of the SOODA Organization. Commissioner John Albion spoke positively about
Dog Beach & the possibility of more County Dog Parks in the future. Councilman Wayne Edsall & Paul Rice, congratulated
the SOODA Organization & welcomed Dog Beach on behalf of the City of Bonita Springs & the State, respectively. Co-Founding
Members Mary DeVincent, Penny Taylor (Naples Council Member) & Pat DeVincent spoke on behalf of the SOODA Organization.
Special recognition was given to Co-Founding Member Sherry Siket, Vice-President Dave Jenkins & Dog Rally & Coordination
Officer Paul Jasper - who were unable to attend. A plaque was presented To SOODA by commissioner Ray Judah The Plaque read
"Lee County Off-Leash Dog Area (Dog Beach) RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY. Presented On The Occasion Of the Official Dedication
of Dog Beach. Dedicated To Enhancing The Lives Of The Men, Women & Children of Lee County
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