FORT MYERS, FL (December 8, 2009) –Shell Point Retirement Community recently unveiled a new addition to the community, The Friendly Dog Park. Located in The Woodlands neighborhood, the dog park offers Shell Point residents a place to take their pets and allow them to be off the leash while they enjoy freedom, fresh air, and the opportunity to play with other dogs.
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held to officially welcome the first visitors to the park, and the dogs took full advantage of the fenced area to chase each other, stopping occasionally for a drink from the custom auto-fill water bowl station. Benches line the park, so that residents can sit and relax while their dogs enjoy the outdoors. A shade structure will be installed shortly to provide visitors shelter from direct sunlight.
The Friendly Dog Park was originated by Shell Point resident Barbara Miller, who made the first donation to start the park in honor of her late husband Bill. “Bill and I always loved and always had dogs.” Other donations poured in shortly after, and the Legacy Foundation continues to collect funds to help keep up the maintenance of the park.
“This dog park is more than a place for the residents of Shell Point to let their dogs run free,” said Dawn Boren, director of resident life. “It creates an opportunity for the residents to come together from the entire community.”
“Scientific studies have proven the positive emotional health benefits that owning and caring for a pet can provide to adults of any age, and we are pleased that residents here at Shell Point can have pets,” said Boren. “Dogs are such loving and faithful companions and event residents who choose not to maintain a pet of their own have been stopping by to see the dogs run and play.”
Shell Point Retirement Community is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in South Fort Myers near Sanibel Island and is a nationally recognized leader in the retirement industry. The community offers retirement living in a resort-style environment with an 18-hole championship golf course, deep water boating access, and recreational and fitness facilities. To learn more about Shell Point, visit us at www.shellpoint.org or call 1-800-780-1131.
