Hixson, Dunlap win Dog Park Dash

Money goes to build local dog parks

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Two local communities are winners in this year’s Dog Park Dash.

Randy and Jenny Boyd formed the Boyd Foundation to help fund dog parks across Tennessee.

This year they are handing out $375,000 to 15 communities to complete their goal of 100 dog parks across the state.

Communities apply for the grants by coming up with a plan on how they would spend it.

This year’s winners in Southeast Tennessee are Dunlap and Hixson.

The Dog Park Dash has given grants to Athens, Charleston, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Collegedale, Decatur, East Ridge, Etowah, Rhea County, Signal Mountain, and Spring City over the last three years.

The grand prize of $50,000 this year went to Waverly, Tennessee that suffered massive flooding last August.

“Our goal has always been to make Tennessee the most pet-friendly state in the nation, and after this year, our Tennessee Dog Park Dash will have added or enhanced 100 dog parks across the state putting us well on our way,”Randy  Boyd added. “We’re grateful that so many communities chose to participate, and we’re excited to see these fantastic new parks all across the state.”