1.Dog Beach
Note of 10-12-07: Panama City Beach has approved a dog-friendly beach on the western portion of the city-owned beach at the Dan Russell Pier - but with 14 rules. Read more here.
2. Bay Families with Dogs, Inc.
This is not a dog park. This is a group of people in the Bay County area, based in Panama City, advocating for outdoor recreation opportunities for area dogs and their human guardians. One of the group's goals is "to obtain and maintain recreation zones on area beaches for Bay County families to enjoy responsibly with their dogs."
Note of 07-03-07: Unfortunately, Governor Crist did not sign HB 981 (see below) into law. He said the reason was because he "opposed an unrelated amendment attached to it" that dealt with a preserve in Charlotte County. A spokesperson from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said, "We’ll evaluate (violations) on a case-by-case basis. When it’s a more serious offense, we may still pursue criminal action. at violations based on the severity of the situation. In the case of dogs on the beach, we may only look at criminal enforcement for dogs that are athreat to a person’s safety."
At Shell Island, DEP has stated they would not try to enforce park rules below the tide line (on wet sand), in the water, on County property or roads, or on private property, or when they are in doubt.
Note from Web Mistress: Or they might. All we can say is, "Be careful taking dogs to this area until Gov. Crist follows up on his promise to sign House Bill 981 into law." The State statute change would decriminalizes State Park rule violations, such as having your dog with you in an "excluded area" of the park but remember, Gov. Crist didn't sign that into law.
Note of 05-08-07: Bay Families with Dogs, Inc. provided us with the following update on last year's arrest and subsequent punishment of people walking their dogs on Shell Island - this is another example of how well grassroots efforts work!
"The Florida Legislature adjourned Friday with the passage of House Bill 981 which decriminalizes State Park rule violations.
The State statute change will go into effect July 7 unless Governor Crist opposes it, which is highly unlikely. So after July 7 it will be only a civil infraction (like a traffic ticket) to
violate such park rules as digging in the sand, lighting a grill in the wrong area, consuming alcohol, or having your dog in an 'excluded area' of the park. At Shell Island, this means that getting a ticket will not send you to criminal court with sex offenders and drug dealers, and you should not be assigned a probation officer or have to write apology letters for your offense, as citation holders did last year."
Note of 08-13-06: According to Bay Families with Dogs, Inc., the Bay County Commission voted on two things 07-06-06:
1. Pursue a solution to Shell Island to allow people to bring their dogs.
2. Explore opportunities for establishing pet-friendly areas on the mainland beaches of Bay County. The Commission has been gathering information, and have assigned someone from county staff to be the focal point on this topic.
To help move things along as quickly as possible, some members of Bay Families with Dogs are forming a group called the Bay County Dog Beach Task Force. If you can volunteer to help with the task force, please check out Bay Families with Dogs.
Note of 07-22-06: According to a recent article in the News-Herald, people are being arrested for walking their dogs on Shell Island. The offense is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and up to a $500 fine - the same punishment as people arrested for DUI/drunk driving, solicitation for prostitution, domestic violence or spousal abuse.
3. Saint Andrews State Recreation Area
Located off SR 392, at 4415 Thomas Drive. Open 8 a.m. until sundown. This park has 1260 acres and is located on a peninsula with over 1 1/2 miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
Pet policy, per the Web site, states, "Pets are not allowed in camping areas, on bathing beaches, in concession areas and may be restricted in other designated areas of the park. Where pets are allowed, they must be kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash and well-behaved at all times."
Note of 12-16-05: One of our readers visited this park recently and said while it's a beautiful park and there is a place to walk dogs, there seems to be a general pet-UNfriendly attitude in this part of Florida. She said she was walking her leashed dog in a regular park and had a poop bag on hand when a very angry man approached her and threatened to call the police if she did not leave. She was told by a staff member of the Chamber of Commerce there are no places in the area for people to exercise their dogs (other than, we assume, the ones we list below) and he felt those making the rules were not aware the effect this had on tourism.
4. Naju Dog Park
There is a no-leash area located behind Naju Grooming. Open dawn to dusk. Offers fenced area, benches, handicapped access, lighting, parking, phones, restrooms, shelters, water, dog pool and digging area and separate area for smaller dogs.
5. Mexico Beach
Located next to Tyndell Air Force Base. The reader who informed us about this pet-friendly beach said it's a nice, private area.
Note of 05-20-06: A kind reader who visited this area recently offered the following comments:
"When we stopped in there...and were inquiring about lodging and the beaches we were told more than one time that pets were not allowed on the beach and further, that doing so would carry a $100+ fine. We never actually tested the theory, so I don't know this for certain... but we just thought this imformation might be useful to other readers."
6. Frank Brown Park
Located at 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway in Panama City Beach. This 200-acre park has a special fenced dog area and a few trails along with all the sports fields. Read about the progress of the trails here.
NOTE: We thank the kind reader from this area who wrote us about this park.
7. Pier Park
Located on West Highway 98. This is an area that is going to be a
retail/multi-purpose facility when they get around to developing it,
but currently has a lovely area where one can walk their leashed dog and
even has waste bags and stations. Also offers a mile or two of paved trails, shade trees, a drinking fountain and restrooms.
Note of 03-27-07: Bay Families With Dogs provides an update.
"Adjoining Pier Park is Aaron Bessant Park, which is dog-friendly. The beach part of Pier Park is still off-limits to families with dogs due to the expected high traffic in the area. Efforts are underway to find a less highly-traveled zone for beach recreation with dogs."
Note of 02-16-06: A kind reader gave us the above information about this location and said they have seen people working their well-mannered dogs off leash here.
NOTE: We can't visit every area on a regular basis, so if you have information about any dog parks or beaches, or any other animal recreation facilities, in the Panama City/Panama City Beach area, please contact FloridaPets.net.
POOP-FREEZE™ Products
