St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) Opens New Amenities – Pet Relief Area “Bark Parks”

PIE announced another new amenity to their guests with the completion of their Airport Parking and Roadway Project. Their new “Bark Parks” provide fenced pet relief areas for guests with dogs to enjoy the outdoors in a fenced artificial anti-microbial turf park with an irrigation and draining feature. Parks have benches, hydration stations, trash receptacles and dog waste bags. 

The airport also has a therapy dog program provided by Project PUP (Pets Uplifting People) that provides therapy dog encounters for our passengers to ease travel stress. The airport also hosts the Southeastern Guide Dogs puppies in a tour of the airport while they are with their socialization family. Southeastern Guide Dogs assisted the airport in developing the Bark Parks. “It has been a wonderful experience working with the staff at PIE to help improve accommodations for those traveling with a service dog,” said Suzy Wilburn, director of admissions and alumni support for Southeastern Guide Dogs. “Their focus on accessibility, safety and attention to detail is top notch and should be recognized.” 

Southeastern Guide Dog Puppy Raisers and PIE PUPS therapy dogs will attend the Grand Opening on Oct. 9 at 9:30 AM to “inaugurate” the parks. PIE PUPS Coordinator John Turner will have two of his pups in their remote-control cars for the grand opening celebration. “We at Project Pup are honored and proud to be part of the growth at the airport. The addition of the Bark Parks is wonderful for 2 and 4 legged passengers” added Turner. 

Media is invited to attend. Park in short term parking (validation will be provided) and meet at Bark Park East. 

The airport has a number of amenities for passengers that have been added with recent projects, including:

• In all passenger gate areas – “Mamava” pods for nursing moms

• Filtered water bottle stations throughout the terminal and in passenger gates

• Family restrooms in Gates 7-11 and in Bag Claim

• PPE Vending machine provided by the Hudson Group located in outer corridor by Ticketing A

• Kids Play Zone in Gates 7-11 (temporarily closed during Covid-19); Reopening soon with new air

circulation and treatment system device (CASPR) and new guidelines.