PANAMA CITY — A multi-cultural dog pack – weimraners, long-haired chichaus, rottweilers, brindles, Dobermans and German shepherds to name a few – barked and yelped during Leisure Service Director Keith Baker’s opening address.
However, they quieted during Mayor Greg Brudnicki speech. They must have been waiting for dog puns.
“I understand dog language: it’s hot and be quick,” Brudnicki said. “This place has really gone to the dogs.”
Panama City officials opened the Al Helms Dog Park on Friday. Helms was the former Leisure Services director for Panama City, from 1967 to 1984, who died last year.
His son, Pat Helms, rattled off his accomplishments with pride. Al Helms graduated from high school at 16 years old and he went on to play baseball and run track at the University of Florida until he reached 17 when he gained his parents’ permission and enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He then became a Navy Fighter Pilot and was later a flight instructor, taking underprivileged children on flights years later. During his years with the city, he created the community development program. Helms’ family knows him more for his work with children as a teacher, although his wife, Bettie, said they always had dogs when the children were home.
“It’s nice that they remembered him,” Bettie Helms said.
Thus far, the park has received sparkling reviews from the Panama City citizenry. Robert Simon took his two Dobermans, Eva and Aries, and his rottweiler puppy, Dozer, to the park Friday. He has a business called Dogmata, which provides kennel and training services. Eva and Aries are both certified rescue dogs. It was Simon’s perception that the park may lead to fewer dogs ending up in animal rescues, with owners taking pets for needed exercise and decreasing incidents at home.
“This is something that is long overdue,” Simon said.
Sammy and Jackie Lassiter had a purpose for their visit: offer Cookie, a lab, bulldog mix for adoption. The Lassiters are genuine dog lovers with three pooches of their own and five other dogs in their care. Living nearby, they are sure they will visit the park frequently.
Panama City Beach resident Reggie Brooks traveled from Panama City Beach to attend the opening with his two weimeraners, Max and Jasper. He said he appreciated having two separate spacious sections for large and small dogs and preferred it to Frank Brown Park for that reason.
“My two boys are hunting dogs,” he said. “I worry that they’ll pick up one of these little dogs. You have to be really careful.”
Because of the amenities the park offers, several dog-level drinking fountains and a pavilion for owners, Brudnicki described the park at 1022 Balboa Ave., a diamond in the rough.
“Kudos to the Leisure Services Department,” Brudnicki said.