Support Cookeville’s dog park grant application by June 30

COOKEVILLE – “We’re begging for a dog park in Cookeville!”

That’s what a group of local dog owners said when they gathered yesterday evening, June 26, at Cane Creek Park with their canine companions to show their support for the City of Cookeville’s grant application for a proposed public dog park inside Cane Creek Park.

Cookeville Leisure Services was on hand to record a video and interview each dog owner, giving them an opportunity to tell the grantors at Dog Park Dash and the Boyd Foundation how much they want this park.

Among them was Hope Little, who said a dog park would be a great place for her dog “Lucy” to socialize with other dogs.

“She’s a spoiled little girl all by herself, and she needs some friends,” Little said.

Sandy Miller and “Chico” were there, too.

“He loves other dogs, so I’d like to find some place he could go to be with other dogs,” Miller said. “He also loves to run, so it would be nice to have a big open space.”

James Mayberry, who came with his dog “Buddy,” said Cookeville needs a public dog park.

“We’re growing, so I think a dog park would be good for this area and good for the community,” he said.

The video will be submitted as part of the community engagement phase of the City of Cookeville’s grant application. It will also be shared on Cookeville Leisure Services’ social media pages.

Cookeville is in the running for one of 30 grants for $25,000 to be awarded in Tennessee, as well as a $100,000 grand prize that will go to one community. The community engagement phase, which will help Cookeville stand out from other grant applicants, ends June 30 at 5 p.m.

Interested individuals still have two ways to show their support – through social media and online letters of support.

Social media users may create posts with photos, videos and text that include the #dogparkdash hashtag along with a mention of Cookeville. For example, they could post a photo of their dog with a comment such as “We need a dog park in Cookeville!” #dogparkdash.

Letters of support may be submitted at www.dogparkdash.com/support.

For more information, call Cookeville Leisure Services at 520-4386.

Photos by Aspen Little