News	April 17, 08

Hollywood

Dog Beach

Well-mannered canines are welcome on a small stretch of Hollywood Beach

By Jonathan Del Marcus

Dogs will continue to be allowed to accompany people on a limited basis on a stretch of beach in Hollywood after the city commission gave tentative approval to an ordinance establishing a permanent dog beach on April 2.

The program, established at the behest of Dog Beach of Hollywood, has been operating on a 100-yard stretch of beach between Custer Street and Pershing Street since Aug. 31. Following its initiation, the city has conducted a pilot program to test its long-term viability. 

Chuck Ellis, director of the city’s parks, recreation and cultural arts, said the program, modeled after the Fort Lauderdale Dog Beach, was operating successfully at a slight profit. He acknowledged that there had been some minor problems and complaints, but noted that they had been resolved.

“It’s very important to me that this continue to pay for itself,” Ellis said. “I think it’s overall a good program, and I think it’s very successful.”

Dog beach regulations allow dogs on the sand or in the water Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m. during the summer and from 3 to 7 p.m. during the winter. The city must issue a pass to the owner before a dog is permitted on the beach. The fees will be $30 for residents and $60 for nonresidents for a six-month period. All dogs are required to be on a leash or under voice command. 

In her comments to the commission, Helena Drori, president of the Dog Beach of Hollywood, encouraged passage of the ordinance because the dog beach has been widely admired and had become a marketing tool to attract people to move to the city. The organization was instrumental in working with the city to develop the program. Before unanimously passing the ordinance, commissioners praised the organization’s efforts.

“I like the dog beach and I support the ordinance, but I just really wanted to really, really compliment you on how you went about this,” City Commissioner Heidi O’Sheehan told members of the Dog Beach of Hollywood. “You had an idea that you wanted to see happen, and you did all the work. It’s a tremendous asset for the city. I just think the model of how this came about is something that we should look into continuing in the city.” 

John Passalacqua, president of the Hollywood North Beach Association, which represents homeowners in the area, had asked the commission to consider letting the ordinance have a sunset date rather than automatically renew, because he believed the city should reconsider the issue each year to ensure the dog beach is a profitable venture. 

Mayor Peter Bober replied that because of legal considerations, the city was obligated to pass a normal ordinance. If necessary, the commission would revisit the issue in the future to tweak it, he said.

The dog beach ordinance must still be approved in a second hearing.