Planned Portsmouth Dog Park in Running for $100,000 Contest

Plans to build a dog park in Portsmouth could get a massive boost after the town has been nominated for a chance to win a $100,000 contest that would fully fund plans for an off-leash site for pooches to romp in Melville Park.

The design plans are well underway, the town has granted a site inside Melville Park and a two-year-effort to bring a dog park to Portsmouth is making steady progress, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers serving on the Portsmouth Dog Park Planning Committee.

The contest, sponsored by PetSafe, will give five towns a chance to win money to fund a dog park. There will be one $100,000 grand prize winner and four finalists taking home $25,000 each.

All that’s left for Portsmouth to do is to fund the park’s construction.

“With strict leash laws in Portsmouth, many dog owners welcome a place to allow their dogs the freedom to run and play and have a chance to visit and network with other dog owners,” according to a dog park committee release.

Voting in the contest is now open. Voters must be 18 or older and can vote once each day. You’ll need to create an account to sign in and cast a vote.

To vote, go HERE: http://www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark/city/29315/portsmouth-ri/

The voting period will run through June 10.

“With enough votes Portsmouth can advance to the finals because we have in place the required availability of land and the support of civic leaders,” the release stated. “Population size and total number of votes will also be used to select 15 finalist communities, which will be announced on June 17.”