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The Port Chester Dog Park Group came in first place in the medium city category of the national competition. More than 1,400 communities competed to get money to build a dog park, and Port Chester was one of 15 finalists. The grand prize was $100,000, with another four prizes of $25,000.
“The results of this contest show us all just how much support this great community-driven project has,” Dina Goren, Port Chester Dog Park Group president, told Daily Voice. “The buzz around town and the excitement of being so close to having a dog park in our village is just truly great to see.”
Two rounds of voting took place online from May to June and June to July.
“This couldn't have been achieved without the amazing amount of support, effort and focus the community showed throughout the duration of the contest,” Goren said.
In addition to the $25,000 from the contest, Port Chester Dog Park Group has raised more than $21,000. Goren has said they need $55,000 to cover the costs of installing about 1,500 feet of fencing and other park amenities.
The group is working with the Port Chester Parks Commission and village staff to create a formal timeline for when work can begin and the park can open. The village still has to finalize and implement the dog park plan, Goren said.
“At this point the Port Chester Dog Park Group is certainly ready and eager to start working on opening this dog park,” she said.
Abendroth Park, behind the former United Hospital, would be the site of the park, which would be fenced in on the upper level and the hill. The park would not include the playground or the soccer field down the hill.
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