Important: Calling all Miami Dog Owners

Museum Park by Nadia Bouzid

After a Long wait, Museum Park was opened in 2014 right after the Perez Art Museum of Miami designed by Herzog & de Meuron. It will be followed by the Frost Science Museum soon to be completed which was confirmed by Mayor Carlos Gimenez in his latest State of the County address.

With its magnificent Bay views, and surrounded by downtown, Museum Park brought an immediate value to the area. Apartment values from buildings all around will most likely be appreciated. Art sculptures were recently added, which have certainly given the park a beautiful artistic personality to go along with the charming green scenery.

I am lucky to live right across the street and have enjoyed the benefits it brings to the neighborhood.

Being a new dog owner, I had to get used to going to park every morning and evening. "Coquito" is a small Pomeranian, but even though the idea of being in an apartment all day might seem the perfect activity for a dog her size, there's nothing that makes her happier than playing fetch and running freely in the grass.

Lately I have been bullied by a security lady in a golf cart and all she does is harass dog owners for not having their dogs on a leash. Security in the park should be more focused on homeless people laying around all over the park and leaving trash.

After asking around I found out there was a recent incident with a dog owner. 

Miami Museum Park authorities are now passing notices around saying all dogs must be kept on a leash. They cannot play fetch in the esplanade or have a little bit of the joy from being unleashed. They are also passing around a picture of a man who's dog supposedly attacked another lady's dog, probably proof that something actually happened.

Each dog owner is responsible for looking after their dog and preventing any harm to third parties. I feel "The park management association could designate an area for our dogs to play freely"

I understand the difference in Miami-Dade between: Dog Friendly Parks for leashed dogs/ Dog Parks where dogs can freely roam and Dog Run Parks for leashed dogs. However this being such a big and beautiful park with so many dog owners, I encourage the community to step in so we can bring a solution to our dogs' happiness and community's safety.

I am not alone in this one; I have been talking with fellow dog owners and they all feel the same way. It's a large park where there could be a section designated so our dogs are allowed to roam freely. Otherwise, where else are we supposed to go? we have no options, and there are many of us on that boat. 

I think I speak for every dog owner in the area when I say that this is not something that we want; it's something we demand. 

If you visit Museum Park often with or without a dog, and have something to say, I would love to hear your thoughts below.

MY COQUITO || POMERANIAN || photo by Nadia Bouzid