Riverfront Esplanade — Attraction in Daytona Beach

UPDATE 10/17: They have posted updated rules pertaining to dogs on social media: “The south side areas highlighted in yellow on the map below are the areas you can enjoy with your dog! Due to our Botanical Gardens including plants that are harmful to dogs and the Splash Pad being a feature that is not pet-friendly based on health department rules, we currently do not allow pets in those areas to provide the safest experience for everyone. We offer a Dog Park Membership to enjoy the perks of our beautiful dog park, located on the north side, that includes separate small and large dog sections, agility courses, and artificial turf!”

I am still unsure if bikes, rollerblades, etc. are allowed in the new side and where, but at least we have a more clear understanding of the dogs. I still don’t like how the new side’s rules were handled and think they should have been more transparent from day 1. I have since taken my dog for a quick walk through, mostly along the river, and had no issue.

Initial review: I’ve come to this park often since my family moved to the area a two years ago. I walk my dog here at least once a week and often pass others doing the same. My family and I were excited for the new south side park that we’ve seen construction on since moving here. One employee even said hi to myself and my dog in September and advised of the new side’s opening date. We saw the grand opening signs in person and posted online. We showed up opening day, my dog included, and me and many other dog owners there that day were turned away from the new side. Workers could not tell us if it was just for this event or not. I then checked online again, and I can’t find anything stating that dogs aren’t allowed to the park or the opening events. I even tried calling before trying again - no answer. So, I went back the next day and was turned away again. In fact, before I could even get close another upset dog owner warned me. A very nice security woman advised that she is not sure about details of dogs not being allowed, but it may be until they add more grass. There’s literally dog water fountains and dog bags within. We also saw bicycle riders being turned away. Why? Is the park too narrow? Why would they build a park that’s not friendly to those who have been enjoying it already? Most of the restaurants on Beach St allow you to eat outside with your dog. These rules are going backwards. Not to mention the small dog park in the side that’s been open never has dogs in it and I recently discovered it’s likely because of the price. I’ve heard from others that they were kicked out for not having a shirt or shoes on.. including runners and kids (there’s a splash pad) but I can’t personally speak to that. I feel bad for security having to enforce these rules. I have yet to see the new end of the park because I’m not going to leave my dog at home to go walk… If I could see the whole park and actually enjoy it, I’m sure it would be deserving of a great review but right now it’s just a massive disappointment. Brownie the dog...

Congrats, The Beautification is appreciated! Love the park and its riverfront breezes. If you can call it a park... Really uplifted old downtown Daytona. Nice for walking and admiring the gardens, pathways, water features, beautiful river and bridges. However, it has a certain "je ne sais quoi" about it... a certain Orwellian/capitalist aura of modern dytospia... I'll explain. I tried roller skating once and was turned away. I'm in my 30s, mind you. Not a kid. I was with my walking husband. Barely any other people were there. I saw no signs prohibiting skating, yet one of the zealous security guards (you'll see them) pulled right up and told me no skates allowed this time. So will that rule change? If so, how? .. I get it. You don't want the liability if someone gets hurt. Either way, we like to walk here in the afternoons.. very lovely place to stroll. It is a bit odd, however, that there is smooth jazz, Kenny G stuff playing on speakers everywhere. I often find that silence would be better. And I do wonder why it has to be a privately owned park. It seems a bit odd to me. I'm sure there's a political reason, a lining of pockets, surely the Big Brother Brown Building has something to do with it. Perhaps this will be the new trend.. hey. Capitalism, amirite. Overall, it seems to be good. 👍 just hope those homeless folks are getting the assistance they need, too. And that Kenny G music, just makes it all that...

What a difference this park has made to Downtown Daytona! Finally, I feel safe walking my dog in a local park. The cameras and security guards help maintain the park’s standard which I fully appreciate. They don’t allow smoking or drinking, and they have several other rules to help keep the park clean and safe.

They have a dog park at the end of the park near the Main St. Bridge which you’ll need to get a permit to enter. It’s $80 for the year…$100 if you have two dogs (which is the max one person is allowed to bring). They offer a small & large dog play area equipped with agility equipment and water stations, and they have a 25 dog limit in each park.

The restrooms are nice and super clean! I just wish they had hooks on the back of the doors so I don’t have to hold my bag while using the restroom.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have found this place! This will definitely be my new favorite park to exercise with my dog. I can’t wait to see this place at Christmas…they’re already putting lights up so I can only imagine it’s going to be beautiful at night.

Thank you to the Brown family for helping revive Daytona, and to the amazing staff for keeping it a clean and safe space for...