InnoPet Park is a result of the vision of Coral Springs' veterinarian Dr. Steven G. Paul. In 1992, while attending a veterinary conference in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Paul saw dogs and their owners romping freely through the Boston Commons, and wanted to bring that sort of fun and freedom for dogs and their owners to Florida. After a grueling four-year campaign, wading through local government red tape, raising funds in excess of $11,000, and enlisting the support of Coral Springs' citizens, City Commissioners and InnoPet Brands Dog Food, the City of Coral Springs finally designated a two-acre plot of land inside the Sportsplex Regional Park Complex for the use of the dogs and their owners with the condition that Dr. Paul raise half of the funds required to fence in the park. InnoPet Brands Dog Food came to the rescue with these funds, thus earning the honor of having the park named after them. The grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the park took place on February 22, 1997 during the 10th Annual InnoPet Coral Springs Dog Day Run & Kids' Dog Show.
The park is now open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, at no cost for all dogs and their owners regardless of where they live, as long as they follow the park rules and dog etiquette guidelines established by the City and Dr. Paul. The park features a paved running path, leash posts, a watering area, a shower for the dogs, dog statues, xeroscaped landscaping, pooper scooper bag dispensers, trash barrels, a penalty box area for rambunctious dogs, a picnic table, a dog In Memorium board, and lots of dog agility equipment. Future improvements include a gazebo and barbecue, more benches and picnic tables, a doggie airlock outside both entrance gates (to keep the dogs inside the park from running out each time another dog enters), and animal-shaped topiaries. The park may become the site of dog training classes and dog agility competitions, in addition to becoming the official site of the annual Dog Day Run.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, in memorium information, Dog Day Run information, or any other questions regarding InnoPet Park, contact Dr. Paul or his Director of Community Affairs, Susyn at his web site link, via e-mail link or by snail mail at 8008 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, FL 33067-2059, by telephone at (954) 752-1879, by facsimile at (954) 341-3834, or in person by stopping by at either one of his hospitals in Coral Springs.
To see some pictures of InnoPet Dog Park, click here.
For directions to the Dog Park, click here.
For more information on Dog Park rules and Dog Park etiquette, click here.
For more information on CCI, click on this link.
For more information on InnoPet Brands Dog Food, click on this link.
Click here to go back to the Hospitals' web sites
To Email Dr. Paul or anyone at his animal hospitals, click here.