The City of Wildwood Unveils New Dog Beach Art Sculpture

WILDWOOD – On Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, the City of Wildwood unveiled a 25 feet tall, fire-engine red hydrant art sculpture marking the Wildwoods Dog Beach’s territory. An ode to man’s best friend, the art piece was a gift to the city from Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks in celebration of the Wildwoods’ first-ever, dog dedicated beach.
On June 14, the city first opened this dog-friendly beach at Poplar Avenue, stretching one city block wide. Dogs visiting the Wildwoods are now welcome to join their families on the beach and to swim in the ocean within this designated area from 6 a.m. to dusk daily.
The unveiling ceremony was set to kick off at 11 a.m., and dozens of dogowners and their pets filed onto the beach in the minutes leading up to the reveal. Among them was Jude Kelly, a Wildwood local, accompanied by her 8 year-old papichi, Tino. “This is actually the first time we’re here,” stated Kelly. “Hopefully, he’ll love it and we’ll be able to take full advantage of the new dog beach.”
Mary Beth Hardnock of Norristown, PA, shared this enthusiasm for the project, stating that the Wildwoods Dog Beach was a “great idea” and that both she and her King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Charlie, were “anxious to see” the new art sculpture. Cynthia Dunn is a frequent summer visitor of the Wildwoods and also finds the Poplar Avenue Dog Beach to be a great addition to the community. “We actually didn’t know about it until we had planned a trip here. My daughter was looking up some things we could do here with Sophie, and we found out about this beach.” Sophie, just 16 months old, is considered a “5th kid” in the Dunn family. “It’s great that all of our family members can now enjoy the Wildwood beach,” finished Cynthia.
Mary Alice LaBar, owner of German boxer Beauregard, sees the Dog Beach as an “excellent opportunity” for families and their canine members and believes that its ultimate success hinges on a “mutual respect between dog owners and non-dog owners.” According to Wildwood Crest native Joann Scholl, this mutual respect has thus far been achieved. Scholl and her mini dachshund Paisley bike to the Poplar Avenue Beach “at least once a week”, and she finds that it has been very clean and well maintained.
The sculpture’s unveiling was led by Ryan Troiano, head of Wildwood Beach Services, Commissioners Pete Byron and Anthony Leonetti, who were also joined by Will and Jack Morey, second-generation partners of Morey’s Piers. The Wildwood Fire Department sprayed water sky high as the large tarp covering the artwork was carefully removed. More than 50 dogs were in attendance and received free dog biscuits from Wildwoods beloved “Fudgy Wudgy Man”, Joe Duncan. Snowy, from Wildwood, NJ, won the post-reveal costume contest for “Wildwood pride” being the “most original” dressed as a lifeguard driving a Boardwalk Tramcar.
Customized souvenir Frisbees along with information on pet-friendly hotel accommodations and events in the area were distributed to pet owners by event co-sponsors PetSmart and the Cape May County Animal Shelter.
Constructed from recycled parts of an old Morey’s amusement ride, the sculpture was designed and built by the father and son team of Peter J. Bieling and Pete C. Bieling, architect Rich Stokes and Morey’s Piers’ artBOX resident artist,
David Macomber. A cultivated addition to the Fido-friendly, seaside play area, the 5,000 pound structure is detailed with bones, dog paws and a squirrel perched on top. It also pays special recognition to the Wildwood Fire Department and two volunteer units – HBFD (Holly Beach Fire Dept.) and WFD#1 (Wildwood Fire Dept. #1). The sculpture is complete with a plaque engraved in tribute to man’s best friend, stating, “Because we should play with unbridled enthusiasm and unfiltered joy as they do. Because we should love with all of our heart and no conditions as they do. Because we should live a life without regret or recrimination as they do. This one’s going to the dogs.”
In a joint statement from both the City of Wildwood and Jack Morey they commented, “This project is a great example of how public and private sectors can work together to advance a great beach resort in a fittingly fun and quirky manner.”
For more information on The City of Wildwood or the new dog beach art sculpture unveiling, visit www.wildwoodnj.org.