- April 26, 2024
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Volusia Flagler YMCA Family held a groundbreaking ceremony for Ormond Beach's new dog park on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A rendering of the dog park. Photo courtesy of Gilchrist Architecture Design Collaborative
City Commissioner Dwight Selby smiles with his pup Duke at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Volusia Flagler YMCA Family had dog treats at the ceremony for all the four-legged attendees of the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ellie enjoyed some shade at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Volusia Flagler YMCA Family, Heather and Wyatt Kent, and Commissioner Troy Kent, Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley, Commissioner Rick Boehm and Commissioner Dwight Selby pose with shovels. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Heather Kent, Wyatt Kent, Commissioner Troy Kent, Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley, Commissioner Rick Boehm and Commissioner Dwight Selby pose with shovels at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23.
The Volusia Flagler YMCA Family and its board members pose with the city commissioners and County Council Chair Ed Kelley at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Troy Kent, his son Wyatt and wife Heather pose with their adorable dachschunds Dudley and Daisy at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Troy Kent, his son Wyatt and wife Heather pose with their adorable dachschunds Dudley and Daisy at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Bev Johnson and her dog Sprinkles smile in the sun at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A close up of Beve Johnson's dog, Sprinkles. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dwight Selby's furry pup Duke sits contently at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Charlie Lydecker's dog Callie sports the first offical YMCA dog collar at the dog park's groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
YMCA presented the plans for the first dog park in town during a groundbreaking ceremony held at the construction site on Saturday, Sept. 23.
"This is the next part of our exciting project, and without the city and the county and private donors, this would not have been possible,” said Teresa Rand, president and CEO of the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA.
The $500,000 dog park's construction was approved by the city commission at the July 25 meeting. Out of that sum, the city plans to give YMCA $247,000 for lifelong fee-free maintenance, which for the residents means the dog park will always be free to the public, regardless if they are a YMCA member or not.
The dog park will be open until 9 p.m. every day and will feature obstacles courses for the dogs as well as a fountain pond for them to splash in. It will be located beside the YMCA on the west side of N. Center Street.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Rand thanked the city commission, Volusia County Council, Volusia ECHO committee, Ormond Beach Family YMCA board members as well as private donors for their support of the project. In attendance was Ormond Beach Police Department Chief Jesse Godfrey and city commissioners Rick Boehm, Dwight Selby and Troy Kent — the latter two who brought along their dogs Duke, Dudley and Daisy.
Charlie Lydecker, one of YMCA's capital campaign donors of the project, spoke at the ceremony as well, telling a story about how he transformed into a dog-lover. The former executive at Brown & Brown, Inc. said he'd never liked dogs until he came home one day from a business trip to find out his family had acquired a new dog, which they named Callie.
“They loved on Callie so much, I realized I was wrong," Lydecker said.
He said people who have dogs love them, and during a subcommittee process, the idea of a new dog park in Ormond Beach was born.
“In the course of that process, it became apparent that a dog park would be really cool," Lydecker said. "I only want to be a part of whatever’s good for the community so I don’t have to be a dog person," he added with a laugh.
Rand said they are a couple of weeks away from receiving their permits, but once they do, construction will begin.
