- April 25, 2024
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No paw prints allowed on most of Volusia County's shoreline.
On Tuesday, June 22, as the Volusia County Council examined whether to open sections of the beach to dogs, the council voted 5-1 to keep its current dog access to the beach as is: only at Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach and Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet. County Councilman Fred Lowry was absent during the vote due to a recent knee replacement surgery.
Staff presented four options to the council, one of which was to allow dogs on the beach in a half-mile area between Bicentennial Park and Al Weeks North Shore Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea. In April, the council directed staff to bring them options to consider. However, after reviewing them, the majority of the council felt none were well suited.
“The way we’ve talked about these options, I don’t find any of them making me feel comfortable to bring my dog," Volusia County Councilwoman Barb Girtman said.
The other areas suggested were a .3-mile section of beach between the Daytona Beach boardwalk and International Speedway Boulevard, and opening all sections of the beach to dogs. A suggestion was also presented by Daytona Dog Beach Inc. to open up a half-mile area of beach between Zelda and University boulevards. The organization stated in an email that they have continuously reached out to the council and county staff to collaborate with them on viable solutions.
This isn't the first time Volusia County has discussed opening its beaches to dogs; in 2014, the council considered allowing dogs on the beach for a trial period, but this was never pursued further.
Initially, some of the council members expressed interest in exploring the option to open the area near Bicentennial Park to dogs — there is a dog park at Bicentennial as well — but testimony from Ormond-by-the-Sea residents dissuaded them. Among the chief concerns brought to the council about this option include the dense sea turtle nesting areas on this stretch of beach and the safety issues that come from crossing A1A from the off-beach parking lot.
Other concerns voiced by council members include the cost of adding staff to enforce the regulations that come with having dogs on the beach. County Councilwoman Heather Post policing possible licensing for dogs on the beach would be a "nightmare."
“I see zero way to license a specific area, especially one that’s not naturally geographically bordered," she said.
Chair Jeff Brower agreed that opening Bicentennial Park to dogs would be a "horrible idea" because of the environmental issues. He was open, however, to exploring a trial period for dogs on a drivable area of the beach such as the area between Zelda and University boulevards, with licenses for dogs. He suggested the trial period take place outside sea turtle nesting season.
“Sometimes you have to try things," Brower said.
There was already a motion on the table by Councilman Ben Johnson to keep the dog access areas the same, and seeing as it passed, Brower was not able to make a motion.
This story was updated at 12:36 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, to add comments by Daytona Dog Beach Inc. A previous version of this story reported their suggestion was presented "last minute," but the organization has been presenting their proposal to the council and county staff since April 20, including submittals in writing.
