Dogged pursuit of pet park ends in loss for Lynchburg

It just wasn’t this dog’s day.

After weeks of frenzied voting, Lynchburg found out Friday that it did not win the $100,000 grand prize in PetSafe’s “Bark for Your Park” contest, which was created to help one lucky community build a new dog park.

“Doggone it!” Mayor Joan Foster exclaimed when the news was announced that afternoon at a results-watching party at City Hall.

The Hill City lost out to Huntington, W.Va., which had been its fiercest competitor throughout the contest’s three-week voting period.

The disappointment was palpable among the more than 60 people gathered for Friday’s event, but the crowd maintained an upbeat tone and spoke optimistically about the future.

“I know everyone’s sad,” said parks manager Andy Reeder. “But you all did a great job. Lynchburg deserves a big hand.”

Dog park advocates said they were proud of the hard-fought campaign they had waged and the immense community support it received. The city beat out hundreds of other hopefuls to make it into the contest’s final round and was one of the leading vote-getters, frequently trading off first and second place with Huntington.

Volunteers are still intent on creating a dog park and plan to launch a fundraising campaign.

“We were so taken aback by the support we got,” said Niro Rasanayagam, secretary/treasurer of the citizens’ group Friends of the Lynchburg Dog Park. “It’s been eye-opening even for us. Hopefully, we can harness some of that energy going forward.”

“We will build this dog park,” said Thomas Strayhorn, president of Friends of the Lynchburg Dog Park. “I think this has shown there’s a lot of community support for it.”

City Council has already agreed to start a public dog park if citizens can raise the money for the necessary equipment and infrastructure. The Friends of the Lynchburg Dog Park, a registered nonprofit, was created to spearhead that fundraising.

Lynchburg currently does not have any dog parks.

On Friday, citizen supporters and city officials alike urged the public to break out their wallets and donate to the cause.

“Give $10 or $20 or more. Whatever you can afford,” said Parks & Recreation Director Kay Frazier, adding that the public enthusiasm she’s seen for this project has made it one of the most rewarding things she’s ever worked on.

Rasanayagam challenged everyone who voted for Lynchburg in the contest to make a donation.

The full scope of the city’s envisioned dog park, which has a site reserved at the Blackwater Creek Athletic Area off Monticello Avenue, is projected to cost slightly more than $100,000. But the first phase alone, which would be enough allow the park to open, is budgeted at $35,000.

Dog park supporters thanked PetSafe, a Tennessee-based pet products company, for sponsoring “Bark for Your Park” and congratulated Huntington on its victory. They also thanked local residents for their support.

“Lynchburg put in a Herculean effort,” said City Councilman Turner Perrow.

“In spirit and heart and community togetherness, we rank No. 1,” Mayor Foster said. “And don’t you forget it.”

There are no prizes for runners-up in the “Bark for Your Park” competition, although PetSafe is already making plans to hold another contest next year — this time promising more prizes and winners.