by SC Feature Writer Reanna Haase
The Sanibel Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee discussed whether to continue pursuing a proposed island dog park at its Oct. 15 meeting, including whether to recommend that City Council study the idea as part of its fiscal year 2028 Community Park feasibility study. Members took no formal action, and no site has been selected, though they discussed the Community Park as a possibility.
In the recreational priorities rankings that were provided to City Council, the dog park tied with the skate park renovations for third place, behind Community Park improvements and a community green or event space. The discussion on Thursday aimed to decide whether the committee would maintain this recommendation.
Members reviewed the project’s history, including a 2009 referendum related to removing a portion of the proposed site from the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Conservation District. This referendum narrowly failed. They also discussed a recent community survey with more than 1,000 participants. According to the report, about 65% said they would use a dog park on Sanibel.
Cost and funding were recurring concerns. A memo from Sanibel Recreation Director Andrea Miller cited a dog park built in Boca Grande in 2022 at a cost of just over $1 million. At the time of the meeting, no funding had been allocated for the dog park, and there was no committed donor or established fundraising group.
Miller summarized the discussion among members by saying, “So far, this committee feels that they would like to continue to explore this project.” She said she would draft language for the committee to consider at the next meeting on Nov. 19, including whether to add dog-park analysis to the Community Park feasibility evaluation and raise awareness of the city’s donor policy.
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