OCEAN CITY – A request to extend allowing dogs on the Boardwalk a month this year was denied by the Police Commission this week due to many concerns having to be addressed in too short of time.
The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) and its Boardwalk Committee recommended that the Town of Ocean City consider extending the period dogs are allowed on the Boardwalk up to the Thursday of Memorial Day weekend. The current City code allows dogs on the Boardwalk from Oct. 1 through April 30.
“We believe extending this period will increase the number of pedestrians on the Boardwalk and will not interfere with others. We see the increase in pet-friendly places competing for visitor dollars. We believe locals will appreciate this extra Boardwalk period for their pets, too,” the Boardwalk Committee recommended.
OCDC President Bob Givarz met with the Police Commission on Wednesday morning to discuss the request.
“This came up at one of our Boardwalk Committee meetings. The topic was how we are going to bring more business, more people to the Boardwalk. The city does a great job with their special events but we were looking at other times outside of the weekends to generate more business,” Givarz said. “In the past, we have seen how popular pets, especially dogs, are on the Boardwalk, and we thought it would be a niche market we could cater to, to bring business to the Boardwalk, put heads in beds at properties that cater to pets, and provide another amenity to our visitors by extending these hours into May.”
Givarz acknowledged the request would be surrounded by concerns from those in opposition. However, according to travel trends the pet industry has become a market in itself, Givarz said.
“Here in Ocean City we have properties that cater to pets, the Clarion Hotel being one, and it seems it is becoming more popular each year,” Givarz said. “The city along with OCDC are always looking for new ways to market our town to bring visitors and perhaps a new segment of visitors to town.”
Commission Chair and Councilman Doug Cymek voiced concerns of others who have come to him to discuss the matter, such as irresponsible pet owners not cleaning up after their pets on the Boardwalk.
Any change comes with a negative reaction, Givarz responded.
“A trial basis could address those objections. I don’t know if somebody cleaning up after their dog on April 27 versus May 3 makes much of a difference,” he said. “The Boardwalk becoming overwhelmed with pets could be a good thing. You found a whole other customer base that wasn’t here before.”
Cymek explained the request would have to be discussed by the full Mayor and City Council and receive public input prior to approval.
“It is not practical to get done this year,” he said.
Council President Lloyd Martin agreed the number of concerns would most likely not all be addressed prior to May.
“I would like to see something done on a temporary basis to try to get some feedback this year,” Givarz asked.
Councilman Dennis Dare added during May the activity on the Boardwalk significantly grows.
“It would be nice to be able to accommodate everybody but the width of the Boardwalk is not that much. If there is dog on leashes plus all the other activity you get to a point where you can’t even walk on the Boardwalk comfortably without issues,” he said. “May 1 is a transition time, and with nice weather…I foresee it as an issue.”
The commission was in consensus to reconsider the request following the summer season when there will be time to discuss all concerns regarding the request.