The Gary B. Jones Dog Park in Tamarac.
By Agrippina Fadel
Paw-some news for Tamarac dog owners: a major renovation of the Gary B Jones Park for People and Pups will make it safer and more attractive.
The city commission approved the $193K renovation project at the July 13 meeting. Construction starts in 3-4 weeks and will take 270 calendar days to complete.
Tamarac’s Park and Recreation Director Greg Warner said the dog park opened in 2008 and is heavily used by residents. Due to extensive use, weather elements, and normal wear and tear over the years, the turf area, shelters, benches, pet waste stations, and fencing need refurbished or replaced due to extensive use, weather elements, and normal wear and tear.
“Most elements of the park are original and are past the useful life span of 12-14 years. The city staff had done some repairs and replaced some pieces, but the park needs major renovations,” he added.
Warner said the project’s construction would be done in phases so the park could remain open during the renovations.
The scope of work includes removing and replacing existing fence fabric and gate latches, refurbishing posts and rails, replacing all metal roofs from the shelters, and refurbishing the framing.
All benches, trash cans, dog leash posts, and waste bag receptacles would be replaced. The city will add two Wi-Fi poles to enhance the Internet connection for the residents using the park and help keep the area safe.
Warner added that the sidewalks and concrete pads would be pressure washed and the shrubs replaced with sod.
“Local dog owners have an issue with poisonous Bufo toads, and they tend to gather in the shrub area. The green shrubs look nice, but functionally they don’t work for the dog park, so we will get rid of them,” he said.
Six firms submitted a bid for the Dog Park Renovation Project. Tamarac’s Purchasing Division decided that Maceda Contractors, LLC. was the lowest responsive and responsible company with a proposal that best meets the city’s needs.
A Hispanic/Latino Minority Business Enterprise-owned firm, Maceda Contractors, has fourteen years of experience working on construction projects in the South Florida area. Successful projects include the Ryan Park trail and picnic facilities for the Town of Pembroke Park, the Bill Keith Preserve Boardwalk for the City of Fort Lauderdale, and a playground and hard court for the School Board of Broward County.
Part of the city’s Capital Improvement Program, the Tamarac Dog Park Renovation Project budget is $175,697 with a contingency amount of $17,570, for a total project budget of $193,267.
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