Written by Tammie Watts, Government Affairs Director, Space Coast Association of REALTORS®

In 2019,  the Space Coast Association of REALTORS® transformed an unused plot of land into a robust space peppered with prancing dogs, smiling children, and happy pet owners. It was so successful, we decided to do it again.  See REALTORS® Make Melbourne's Dogs' Dreams Come True.

This year we teamed up with the City of Melbourne and several other businesses to build the Eau Gallie Dog Park.  Roofing contractors, plumbers, electricians and community volunteers, including our REALTOR® members, came together to create a new park for man’s best friend.

Grass area with picnic tables in the background at Eau Gallie Dog Park in Melbourne, FL
Photo courtesy of the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®

The dog park features Central Florida's first public "doggie" splash pad which includes twelve spraying jets. The dogs love the splash pad and enjoy jumping through the spray jets.  

A black dog jumping through the spray jets at Eau Gallie Dog Park in Melbourne, FL
Photo courtesy of the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®

The park also includes spraying fire hydrants, agility jumps, mounds and Fido's Fort, an interactive tunnel system.  And, the park is divided  into two sections, one for small dogs and one for large dogs so the smaller pooches can have a calmer and less overwhelming place to play.

Fido's Fort, an interactive tunnel system for dogs at Eau Gallie Dog Park in Melbourne, FL
Photo courtesy of the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®

In addition, NAR’s Placemaking Grant, which helped fund the park, was used to purchase 13 multicolored Adirondack chairs and benches, which were made entirely out of recycled materials.  Each chair bears a plaque with the Association’s name on it as well as an advocacy or community quote.

Picnic tables at Eau Gallie Dog Park in Melbourne, FL
Photo courtesy of the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®

The dog park welcomes community members and their four-legged friends to enjoy the great outdoors, making it just the sort of thing the Placemaking Grant was intended to do.  More importantly, the effort brought the community together to meet and greet each other.

The official "leash cutting" opened Melbourne's second "off-leash" dog park. And, we were able to help bring both of these parks to life.  

Tunnels for dogs at Eau Gallie Dog Park in Melbourne, FL
Photo courtesy of the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®

Our Association received a lot of appreciation for the park on social media and in the local newspapers.  The dog park even has its own Facebook page in which we are often mentioned.  It was a great feeling and prideful moment for us as we watched this underutilized park come to life.

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