Page 10 - Boca Club News - October '24

Page 10, Boca Club News

Government
Government

Mayor’s Update: A Dog’s Life in Boca Raton!

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor of
Boca Raton and was re-elected
in 2023. A South Florida native,
attorney and small business owner,
Scott and his wife Bella live in Broken
Sound with their two children. You
may also want to stay in touch on
social media at @scottsingerusa. As
always, please reach out by email to
ssinger@myboca.us with any thoughts or requests. Honored
to serve you!
With a dedicated dog beach, dog park, and a new dog-
friendly lake path at Countess de Hoernle Park/Spanish
River Athletic Complex, I am pleased to announce that the
City of Boca Raton has been recognized as among “Better
Earning this City Certification from Mars Petcare Council Corner: A True
Cities for Pets.”

showcases the city’s commitment to creating a pet-friendly
various benchmarks that exemplified our support for our Story About Boca Raton and You!
community. In order to receive the certification, we met

pet-loving residents and visitors.
We know that four-legged fur babies are members of our By Fran Nachlas, Boca Raton City the 41st consecutive year has received the prestigious award
Boca Raton residents’ families, which means we are mindful Council Member/CRA Vice-Chair of “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” from the
of creating a vibrant community where pets are a valued part For some, reading over pages and Government Finance Officers Association. Well done!
of our city. pages of charts, numbers, millage In May the City Council, City Manager, Deputy City
With dedicated dog menus at several of our downtown rates and departmental budgets may Managers, Assistant City Managers, Departmental Heads,
eateries and a growing number of pet-friendly hotels, it is rare not be their version of “fun” exactly. Residents and Business and Community Partners met
to walk through the city without being greeted by a pooch. For me, though, diving into the City for three days of Strategic Planning with the team from
But because dogs are not welcome in all city amenities or of Boca Raton’s Fiscal Year 2024- Trainnovations. The process was the opportunity to hear input
businesses, Boca Raton has created dedicated spaces for dog 2025 Proposed Budget over the past and ideas to align our vision, strategic focus areas, priorities
owners who want to socialize with their pets. several weeks was like reading an exciting story – about and projects to best prepare for Boca Raton’s future.
Mizner Bark Dog Park permit holders can enjoy access our city’s goals, accomplishments, strategic plan and Seven strategic focus areas were identified: community
to the dog park located at 751 Banyan Trail. The dog park aspirations. safety; financially sound city; vibrant economy; quality of
features three fenced areas where your canine friends are Fundamentally, this budget provides funding and life; world-class services; transportation and mobility, and
allowed to run off-leash. The three fenced areas include an guidance for the next chapter of our neighborhoods, our growth management. From there, 13 strategic priorities
area for large dogs over 50 lbs., medium dogs, 20 – 50 lbs., infrastructure, our parks and our local economy. were identified and can be read here: https://myboca.
and small dogs under 20 lbs. There are also benches, water To quote one of my favorite movies, “Let’s start from the us/2421/2024—2025-Strategic-Plan.
fountains, water stations, trash cans and doggie bags. The very beginning.” This story begins with an acknowledgment
park is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk. On Wednesdays, to the city’s Office of Management and Budget, which for Council Corner on page 11
the park doesn’t open until noon.
There is no charge for Boca Raton residents to obtain
a dog park permit. Fees to non-residents and permits are
available on a monthly or annual basis.
For dogs that like to go for a swim the Bark Beach at
Spanish River Park, 3001 N. State Road A1A is the perfect
place to cool down.
Bark Beach permit holders gain access to Bark Beach
at Spanish River Park, which is located between lifeguard
towers 18 and 20. The Bark Beach is open Fridays, Scan for a FREE
Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and then from In Home Consultat on
3 p.m. to sunset during EST and 5 p.m. to sunset during
daylight savings time. VISIT OUR SHOWROOM
Boca Raton residents can purchase a pass for $35 per IN BOCA
dog. Passes for the year begin on Oct. 1st. The fee for
non-resident permits are available on a yearly or weekly
basis. Bark Beach permits are separate from beach parking
permits.
Our newest pet-friendly amenity is a lake path at
Countess de Hoernle Park/Spanish River Athletic Complex.
Pet owners are welcome to walk their dogs along the
scenic lake path on the west side of the park. The area
stretches from Countess de Hoernle Park on the south side
of Spanish River Boulevard, beneath the bridge, and circles
the expanse of the northern lake, adjacent to the Boca Raton
Public Library’s Spanish River location.
Pet waste stations are strategically located around the
lake path, and dogs are required to be leashed.
The city’s dedication to pets isn’t limited to providing
world-class amenities. We were also recognized for our Modern style
local emergency preparedness plans. We prepare pet owners
about what to do in the event of a hurricane. Des gn
With hurricane season still underway, here is a reminder
to make sure you are stocked up on your pets’ food, non-
tippable food and water bowls, record of vaccinations, leash, WHY CHOOSE US?
harness, carriers and extra litter. In the event you have a
pet and must evacuate your home, there is one pet-friendly 12+ Years of Exper ence
shelter located inside the West Boynton Recreational Center. Fully Insured, L censed and Bonded
Of course, let this be a reminder to have an evacuation plan Award-W nn ng Des gners
in place—whether or not you have pets—as county shelters Cert fied Profess onals
are not the best option if a storm is approaching. Exper enced Project Managers
In House Crew Team
No Cost Overruns
For Every Budget
Huge Select ons n Showrooms

19635 FL-7 #46, Boca Raton, FL 33498 561-778-1188 boca@bykbs.com www.k tchenandbathshop.com