- February 11, 2025
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Ken Amick walks Echo, a 10-year-old, miniature schnauzer, in The Trails. Amick said he currently takes Echo, who is blind, to a dog park in Holly Hill, and he would definitely go to a dog park at the Ormond Beach YMCA. Photo by Wayne Grant
Ken Amick walks Echo, a 10-year-old, miniature schnauzer, in The Trails. Amick said he currently takes Echo, who is blind, to a dog park in Holly Hill, and he would definitely go to a dog park at the Ormond Beach YMCA. Photo by Wayne Grant
Ken Amick walks Echo, a 10-year-old, miniature schnauzer, in The Trails. Amick said he currently takes Echo, who is blind, to a dog park in Holly Hill, and he would definitely go to a dog park at the Ormond Beach YMCA. Photo by Wayne Grant
In the fall of 2015, there were smiles and handshakes as the YMCA and the city of Ormond Beach reached a joint agreement on building a dog park at the YMCA facility on Sterthaus Drive, with construction to begin in 2016.
And last April, the Volusia County Environmental, Cultural, Historical and Outdoor Advisory Committee agreed to contribute $400,000 for the dog park and parking, which, along with the $500,000 from Ormond Beach, made the 1-1/2 acre dog park possible.
But the city and the YMCA are still hashing out the contract details for the $500,000 contribution.
Teresa Rand, YMCA president and CEO, said she is “determined” to have a groundbreaking in December because work was supposed to start this year. Construction would then start in January.
“If it all goes perfectly, it a three to four month project,” she said.
The contract could be signed soon. On Nov. 1, the City Commission approved terms proposed by the legal department. The next step will be for the department to draft a document for them to sign.
The YMCA also has work to do in conducting a survey, arranging title insurance, etc.
In the proposed contract, the city will receive an easement on the land. The city and YMCA would enter a service agreement wherein the YMCA would provide a variety of public activities and services, along with the dog park, such as community swim days, drowning prevention and water safety classes.
Rand said the city wanted to make sure the agreement was beneficial for Ormond Beach residents.
At the Nov. 1 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Troy Kent expressed appreciation.
“Randy Hayes, our city attorney, has spent countless hours making sure and continuing to make sure the citizens are protected in this deal,” he said.
Mayor Ed Kelley was also happy to see it get started, saying a dog park had “been on his radar” for eight years.
“We’re close to the reality of having a dog park for the citizens of Ormond Beach,” he said.
The funds from the city came out of the 2015-2016 general fund and have been carried forward.
Rand said part of the expense of the project is a parking lot. Also, part of the land is wetlands, and mitigation will be required.
“It’s more than just throwing down some sod and putting up a fence,” she said.
The Ormond Beach YMCA is getting a makeover in three phases. The swimming pool, now complete, was phase one. The dog park will be phase two and the building will be phase three.
The YMCA and members of the community raised $4.2 million for the renovation of the pool and the building.
The final touch will be a “doggie-human” trail, where owners can run with their dogs, around the entire grounds. It will be part of the building funds.
“That’s the last piece of the puzzle,” Rand said.
