City Commission unsure how to honor resident's contribution to Gillespie Dog Park

Resident Dale Orlando helped gather grants to form the Canine Club park.

By Blake Fussell
| 10:10 a.m. March 23, 2022

The Canine Club is at the northeast corner of 10th Street and Osprey Avenue.

Sarasota
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City commissioners sent the idea of renaming Gillespie Dog Park to Dale Orlando Dog Park back to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday, as some commissioners found that renaming the park could create an unfair precedent.

Members of the community had informed the commission that a plaque was in the works to honor Orlando and her work to create the dog park. Because she died recently, some members of the community and Sarasota Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle suggested to take a step further and rename the park.

“I remember taking this position in 2016, and I think it was the same week Ms. Orlando was in my office,” Fogle said. “She was incredibly patient and understanding to say the least. But it could not have been done without all of her assistance and help.”

Orlando helped find grant money to fund the dog park, which was an integral part of the project’s success, according to Fogle. He also acknowledged her passion for the dog park and the trend that Sarasota has had in recognizing those who make an impact on the community.

Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch said she fully supported the renaming of the park. But after being met with disagreement among her colleagues, she said she was shocked at the viewpoint the commission had taken.

“We talked earlier about how some citizens have certain talents and capacities to get in front of certain projects. And if you want somebody who did that, it’s her (Orlando),” Ahearn-Koch said. “She committed her time, skills, effort and energy to create something beautiful. It wasn’t just for Gillespie Park but for the community as a whole.”

Commissioner Liz Alpert was the first to object to the renaming of the park. She said it would create an unfair precedent and that the advisory board had already decided that a plaque was an adequate tribute.

Dale Orlando and her dog, Shadow, in 2018. (File photo)

Vice Mayor Kyle Scott Battie agreed with Alpert and said a plaque would be an adequate way to honor Orlando. But Ahearn-Koch disagreed and said there has already been a precedent set in Sarasota.

“We have a number of places that have already set the precedent,” Ahearn-Koch said. “This has already been happening in our city, and you all heard Mr. Fogle. The dog park would not have happened without her.”

Ahearn-Koch listed Fredd Atkins Park, Paul Thorpe Park, Robert L. Taylor Park and Mary Dean Park as examples of parks receiving name changes to honor impactful citizens. Mayor Erik Arroyo voiced that he was hesitant, recognizing the naming the Bobby Jones Golf Course even though Bobby Jones had little impact on Sarasota as a community.

Arroyo also said that he has seen fewer and fewer recognitions of John Hamilton Gillespie, who was the first mayor of Sarasota and brought a major cultural influence to the city from his home country of Scotland.