Longboat Key Foundation raises money for dog park artificial turf

Shawn Leven and her great Pyrenees, Daisy, come to the dog park at Bayfront Park twice a day.

These outings have been a good way to make friends for both her and Daisy since they moved to Longboat Key last December, Leven said.

“I wasn’t here before they added the artificial turf but just comparing it to the natural grass areas that aren’t covered, it makes a big difference,” said Leven.

Leven said that the artificial turf helps keep the dog parks looking tidy, making for easier cleanup and preventing muddy paws.

In order to complete installation of artificial turf in both dog parks at Bayfront Park, The Longboat Key Foundation is raising around $175,000.

Photo by Petra Rivera

Working with the Rotary Club of Longboat Key in 2022, Irene Hess started the project by donating $123,000. This allowed for new chairs and 75% of the big dog park to be covered with artificial turf.

Jim Brown, former mayor and current chair of the Longboat Key Foundation, is heading the initiative to cover the remaining 25% of the big dog park and the entire small dog park with artificial turf.

“This has been here for a year and I don't see any damage,” said Brown. “It saves the town money because they don't have to cut the grass. It's neater and cleaner. And just in general, everybody likes it a lot better.” 

Courtesy image

K9Grass artificial turf was used for the completed portion of the big dog park and the town plans to continue to use it for the remainder of the parks. 

A Longboat Key Foundation brochure states that benefits of turf include quick drainage of liquids, easy cleanup for dog owners, prevention of the growth of harmful microbes, lower maintenance costs and a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing experience for dog park guests. 

“You can see the difference with the natural grass because you don't want to bring your dog here on a rainy day,” said Brown. “You don’t want your dogs to be muddy. So I think more people will want to use it.”

Leven said she thinks it's great that this is a priority for the town, especially given the dog-owner community on Longboat Key. 

She said she hopes it will bring more people and pets to the park and that she knows Daisy will be happy to have more friends to play with daily.