Pilot program in Smyrna Dunes Park limits dogs to natural area
In response to numerous confrontations between dogs and people on the boardwalk at Smyrna Dunes Park, Volusia County will implement a pilot program to limit dogs to the natural area adjacent to the boardwalk. Implementation of the change will occur within 30 days. Signs and visual aides will be posted at the boardwalk entry points to direct owners to the natural area. The Volusia County Council, at its Dec. 20 meeting in DeLand, decided to make the change for a test period of up to six months to evaluate the results. It’s likely the County Council will consider the adoption of an ordinance to implement permanent changes.
Smyrna Dunes Park is a county-operated facility in north New Smyrna Beach on the south side of Ponce Inlet. The facility is very popular with the public because of its scenic nearly 1.4-mile boardwalk, sandy beach and the fact that dog owners can allow their pets to frolic in the waters of Ponce Inlet which is accessible by a shallow sandy beach. However, the park’s popularity with dog owners has caused an increasing clash between joggers and walkers on the boardwalk and people walking their dogs on the boardwalk. The six-foot wide boardwalk puts walkers, joggers and pets in close proximity. It’s estimated that there can be more than 300 dogs in the park during busy weekends.
Essentially, pets will be prohibited from the boardwalk, but changes are being made to the trail areas to make them more dog-friendly.
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