By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The good feelings at the November 18 Coral Gables Commission meeting extended well into the evening as elected officials and residents came together to support preliminary plans for a new dog park across the street from the Coral Gables Branch Library.

In a 3-0 vote, Mayor Vince Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Richard Lara moved plans for the park forward. Initial designs include off-leash spaces for both small and large dogs, with two large-dog enclosures that will rotate: one open, one resting to protect the health of the turf.

Support for the project was extensive, with resident Mary Powell presenting a petition signed by 225 neighbors. Many attended Tuesday’s meeting in person. The mayor said he had “never seen so many people in support of one item” in his 13 years in public service.

Vice mayor driving force behind bark park

Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, who sponsored the item, said she began exploring locations after hearing repeatedly from residents who wanted more walkable, neighborhood-scale dog parks. “There’s a lot of support for dog parks in our community, and I was looking for additional space so that we have dog parks sprinkled throughout our city,” she said.

Anderson unveiled a map with hand-drawn delineations showing the park’s spaces including a shaded small-dog area with canine turf, two real-grass large-dog zones that alternate use, and a natural buffer between the park and nearby homes. “This is for the neighbors,” she said. “This is for the neighborhood to be able to walk there and enjoy it.”

She also noted that private donors have already stepped forward to help fund the project and that Tuesday’s vote gives staff the green light to begin detailed design, budgeting, and site planning.

City staff, led by the Public Works Assistant Director for Greenspace Management Deena Bell-Llewellyn, said the approximately 400-by-150-foot site is large enough for all proposed elements. The plan includes a 25-foot native landscaping buffer featuring gumbo limbo, buttonwood, stoppers, and wild coffee, along with the city’s standard black dog-park fencing—potentially buried slightly below grade to prevent digging.

Residents come together in support

Powell, a resident of Riviera Drive, told commissioners the need for more off-leash space is clear. Coral Gables owns 70 parks, she said, with 26 allowing dogs but only one offering an off-leash area. “For a city of more than 50,000 residents, many of whom are dog owners, that number is striking,” Powell said.

She emphasized how quickly the petition grew. “In just the past five days, more than 225 residents have signed,” she said, asking supporters in the room to stand—nearly every seat filled. “This isn’t a divided issue. It’s one where residents are showing extraordinary unity.”

Commissioner Lara praised the sense of community on display. “It’s been an extraordinary day of residents coming together in a way we haven’t seen in a long time,” he said. Dog parks, he added, don’t just help dogs socialize—“the people who are the dog owners are going to be socializing in a way the city always needs more of.”

Future for four-legged friends looks good

Mayor Lago called the project “transformational,” crediting Anderson for breaking through years of stalled efforts to add more off-leash options. He also connected Tuesday’s vote to a larger push to expand green space across the city, including a major forthcoming announcement: a nearly six-acre property the city expects to acquire next month at no cost other than development rights. “It’s going to be the largest green space the city has ever accepted,” Lago said. “We are listening and we are working to deliver these amenities.”

The mayor said the popularity of the proposal – and the respectful, enthusiastic public turnout – was a model for how the community and government can work together. “Show up, give us your opinions. This is what makes Coral Gables special,” he said, prompting loud cheers in the chamber.

Commissioners Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez were absent at the time of the 6;15 pm vote as each had prior engagements and could not stay at a meeting extended when elected and city officials attended an event honoring a fallen city police officer.