COOKEVILLE, T.N. — Just imagine it – a public park especially for dogs.
A place for them to run and socialize with their owners and fellow canines in an off-leash, fenced-in area filled with play equipment for dogs of all sizes, ages and abilities.
Want one in Cookeville? Now is the time to speak up.
Throughout June, locals have an opportunity to show their support for a proposed public dog park at Cane Creek Park through social media posts and letters of support that will boost the City of Cookeville’s application for a $25,000 Dog Park Dash grant from the Boyd Foundation.
This community engagement phase – which will help Cookeville stand out from other grant applicants – will end June 30 at 5 p.m.
“We are so glad Cookeville has entered into the running for a 2019 Dog Park Dash grant,” Carly Svensson, Dog Park Dash coordinator, said. “With so many communities applying and just over 30 grants available for the year, now is your time to let your community show how much it wants to be a Dog Park Dash grant winner.”
A $100,000 grand prize will be awarded to one community.
“We know that Cookeville is a pet-friendly community,” Rick Woods, Cookeville Leisure Services director, said. “Yet we have no public dog park inside our city limit – and there’s a need for one.”
Here’s how interested individuals can voice their support:
Social media
Social media users may create posts with photos, videos and text that include the #dogparkdash hashtag along with a mention of Cookeville in the description. For example, they could post a photo of their dog with a comment such as “We want a dog park in Cookeville!” #dogparkdash. Dog Park Dash will keep track of all posts that include the #dogparkdash hashtag and Cookeville location.
Letters of support
Letters of support may be submitted at www.dogparkdash.com/support. These letters will be immediately added to Cookeville’s grant application.
The City of Cookeville has already approved $26,500 in its 2019-2020 budget toward the construction of a prospective 1.5-acre dog park inside Cane Creek Park. The Boyd Foundation’s Dog Park Dash grant would allow for additional dog and owner amenities.
“We’re excited about this opportunity to apply for a grant that would help us build an even bigger and better dog park than what we originally had planned at Cane Creek Park,” Woods said. “It would have areas for dogs to run free – a small dog area and large dog area. It would have shade, benches, watering stations, play components and a new parking lot.”
Dog owner Lori Henry would like to see the dog park become a reality.
“A free, public dog park would be wonderful,” she said. “I know so many people who talk about it all the time. It would be a great way for them to get out and bond with their dog outside and have a good time.”
Woods welcomes all community support, whether it be through social media posts, letters of support or by spreading the word to others.
“We want people to help us build excitement and enthusiasm and to show the folks at Dog Park Dash that a dog park is something we really need here,” he said. “We need to build support so we have a better chance at receiving the grant and building something really special that we can be proud of and that people and their animals will enjoy for a long time.”
For more information about how to support a public dog park in Cookeville, call Cookeville Leisure Services at 931-520-4386.
