Indian Rocks Beach Unveils Bronze Dolphin Sculptures At Park Entrance

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, FL — A pair of dolphins are attracting a lot of attention in Indians Rocks Beach. But you won't find these dolphins swimming in the waters off the city's coastline.

These dolphins, cast in bronze, frolic at the entrance to Indian Rocks Beach County Park.

On Wednesday, city officials and members of the Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association unveiled their fifth public sculpture in front of the Pinellas County Public Parking at the 17th Avenue Beach Access.

The pair of dolphins from the Randolph Rose Collection was selected by the city and purchased with a donation from the Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association to represent the real-life population of Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins that make the waters around Indian Rocks Beach their home.

"The city of Indian Rocks Beach appreciates the generous donation by the Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners Association and our mutual commitment to aesthetics and public art throughout the city," said City Manager Gregg Mims.

Over the last several years, the city has been on a mission to enhance the city with public art, including murals and sculptures.

As part of its public art program, the city has installed a series of bronze marine life sculptures including a manatee at the 5th Avenue Pocket Park and a sea turtle at Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve, all funded by the homeowners association.

The sculptures were custom-made by New York-based Randolph Rose Collection, founded by sculptor Randolph Rose. Since 1972, the Randolph Rose Collection has created custom bronze sculptures, statues and fountains installed in parks, memorials, libraries, legislative buildings and other public venues around the country using the "lost wax" method, which preserves all the details, giving the sculpture a realistic, life-like appearance.

Mims hopes these sculptures are the first of many more to come.

“The city would like to encourage owners of commercial properties in Indian Rocks Beach to invest in public art on their own property," he said. "This will bring additional attention to the businesses and become a part of the public art effort. Working together, we can continue this city-initiated public art effort.”