The Naples Dog Park (located just east of Baker Park) is running low on donations, prompting city officials to explore new funding options for its upkeep. During a mid-February meeting of the Community Services Advisory Board, Chad Merritt, the City's Parks & Facilities Director, outlined the park’s financial situation.
Originally funded and maintained through donations managed by the Naples Dog Park Committee—an eight-member volunteer group—the park has seen a significant drop in contributions in recent years. In addition, the City of Naples has subsidized maintenance costs of the 1 acre facility, which range between $100,000 and $150,000 annually for services like quarterly mulching and monthly pressure washing, according to the City's Deputy Director for Parks and Facilities.
Currently, only about $40,000 remains in the park’s donation account. If donations become insufficient, Merritt noted, a user fee may be required to cover the deficit.
City officials are now considering three potential options for the park’s future:
- Eliminating the committee and having the Community Services Advisory Board (CSAB) oversee management. This would mean no user fees, and taxpayer funds would cover maintenance, with donations going toward future improvements.
- Keeping the park’s current structure , where it operates on limited donations and city subsidies.
- Implementing a fee-based membership model , requiring users to pay an annual fee for a keycard and submit vaccination records for their dogs, similar to the park’s original intent.
"The dog loves it. It's great for the dogs, you know, because at the condos, you can't let them run around and all that ... But the paying ... They have playgrounds for the schools and everything. So why not give the dogs a little freedom," said Lou Marcotte, a seasonal resident.
"The yearly membership probably wouldn't be a bad idea ... The one we belong to up in Carmel is like that. Believe it or not, it's $100 for the year, and there's a five-year waiting list," said Sal and Dorothy Simone, of Naples.
The Board determined the best course of action going forward is a survey to gauge public interest in all three options. The survey will be sent out to Naples residents before the next CSAB meeting on March 18, according to meeting notes.