Dog beach

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A Shiba Inu poses atop a sign promoting the dog beach in Huntington Beach, California Taro the Shiba Inu at the the huntington dog beach entrance.jpg
A Shiba Inu poses atop a sign promoting the dog beach in Huntington Beach, California

A dog beach is a public beach area designated as a dog park. The spaces allow dogs to swim recreationally as well as play off-leash with their human companions and other dogs. Many are true beaches located along the coasts of major bodies of water, while some, such as the dog beach at Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn, are simply ponds, reservoirs, or inland lakes designated for dogs. [1] [2]

Contents

Despite being maintained by municipalities and public organizations, some beaches require a fee for access, while some charge specifically for nearby parking. Others are free entirely. [3] Some dog beaches constitute fenced-off portions of larger public beaches. [4]

Some beaches, despite allowing the presence of leashed dogs, will assess fines if dogs are discovered off-leash; these are generally not designated as dog beaches. [5]

Issues

Dog beaches can face threats from a lack of political support, and challenges such as funding availability and maintenance can lead to their closure. [6] [7] [8] Some may also suffer from an unwillingness to invest in improvements such as accessible infrastructure. [9]

Some dog beaches can expose dogs to harmful bacteria from the presence of feces and other contaminants in the water, particularly in small inland bodies of water. [1] A study of dog beaches in Monterey County, California, found that dogs contributed significant levels of fecal contamination in the water. [10]

Conservationists sometimes oppose the presence of dogs on beaches due to their potential to threaten wildlife species, including vulnerable nesting birds. [11] Some ecologists believe dogs disrupt marine ecosystems in indirect ways, such as by dispersing scavengers. [12]

Rosie, the namesake of Rosie's Dog Beach, plays at Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach, California A bulldog at Rosie's Dog Beach.jpg
Rosie, the namesake of Rosie's Dog Beach, plays at Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach, California

The value of coastline can make it difficult to secure the space necessary to host a dog beach; for instance, Los Angeles County, California, the United States' most populous county, only offers one dog beach. [5]

Amenities

Rosie's Dog Beach, a popular park in Long Beach, California, features a nearby concession stand named Monty's Dog Beach, which serves refreshments for dogs and humans as well as a dog agility course. [13]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Holliday Smith, Rachel (2015-08-18). "Is the Prospect Park Dog Beach Safe from Toxic Algae? Here's How to Tell". DNAinfo New York. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  2. ↑ Vassolo, Martin (2024-11-11). "Expanded beach access for dogs in Miami Beach". Axios Miami. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  3. ↑ Bruton, Anjelica (2025-01-06). "Families visit Fort De Soto Park's Dog Beach for first time since parking fee increases". WTSP. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  4. ↑ Justine, Lofton (2024-08-23). "Michigan's top beach offers protected area perfect for children, dogs". MLive. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  5. 1 2 Juliano, Michael (2024-06-04). "The best dog-friendly beaches in L.A., both on and off leash". Time Out Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 2024-08-11. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  6. ↑ Granholm, Shannon (2024-11-27). "Lake Avenue dog beach future up in air, again". Press Publications. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  7. ↑ Almenas, Jarleene (2024-05-10). "Ormond residents call for end of dog-friendly beach pilot program, supporters say program is going well". Observer Local News. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  8. ↑ Coakley, Amber (2024-01-13). "North County dog beach advocates howl for change". KUSI News. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  9. ↑ Seidenberg, Bob (2024-07-04). "Cheaper Dog Beach design should be explored, commissioners say". Evanston RoundTable. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  10. ↑ Oates, Stori C.; Miller, Melissa A.; Hardin, Dane; Dominik, Clare; Jessup, David; Smith, Woutrina A. (2017-12-15). "Daily relative dog abundance, fecal density, and loading rates on intensively and minimally managed dog-friendly beaches in central California". Marine Pollution Bulletin. 125 (1): 451–458. Bibcode:2017MarPB.125..451O. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.062. ISSN   0025-326X.
  11. ↑ McLaughlin, Tom (2024-06-02). "Bird lovers say a dog park on Navarre Beach would be a disaster". Pensacola News-Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  12. ↑ Goldfarb, Ben (2024-04-04). "Gone to the Dogs". Hakai Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  13. ↑ Sisneros, Jacob (2024-10-15). "A concession stand for canines? It's now open near Long Beach's famous dog beach". the Hi-lo. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
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