In these times of conflict and confrontation in our nation’s capital and our village hall, it is nice to be able to say thanks for good deeds and good work.
I want to thank Wellington staff and council members for planning and implementing an outstanding plan for our village’s dog park and bringing it to a level that makes it if not the best, one of the best in all of South Florida. For many residents, whose children have left home, or those who have retired here, they are empty nesters either in retirement or working the last years of their careers. Dogs have become very important to them, and spending time with them has become an important part of their lives. The dog park is the second-most-used village recreational facility behind Village Park. Whole social networks and friendships have grown up around frequent users of the dog park, as daily schedules and time spent talking to neighbors and other residents has become commonplace in the friendly confines of the pooch park. On any given evening or morning, there are more than 100 residents and their pets utilizing the three size areas of the park.
The village has made major improvements over the last seven to eight months, with covered pavilions, walking trails and additional trees and benches. Jim Barnes and all of his operational staff have done an outstanding job in maintaining the current level of cleanliness and function, plus have done a great job of adding renovations and amenities that have moved the park to a superior level of service. Just as many residents have met their neighbors at the soccer fields in earlier years, they have met their neighbors and friends at the dog park in the later years, finding friendship and social time in our great village.
Special thanks to Mayor Bob Margolis. For those not around in the late 1990s, Mayor Margolis was the driving force behind the start of the dog park as a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board member, and later as a councilman, saw the park to fruition and lobbied for continued improvements against sometimes heavy opposition. Mr. Mayor, thank you for your support.
As we move forward, maybe we can eliminate the conflict and confrontation, and start again with making this the best community in Florida, just like we did with the dog dark. Happy holidays to all in Wellington.
Steve Haughn, Wellington
