Over $250,000 is available to help communities across the country build, enhance and maintain off-leash dog parks

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Communities around the country can now submit an application for PetSafe® Brand’s seventh annual Bark for Your Park™ grant-giving program today, May 1 through Friday, June 30, 2017. This year, PetSafe Brand will award 25 grants totaling $275,000 to help cities build new dog parks and provide makeovers or maintenance for existing parks.

Since PetSafe Brand launched the Bark for Your Park grant-giving program in 2011, it has provided funding to 52 off-leash dog parks. Communities interested in submitting a grant application for the 2017 program can learn more about the program and view the application and submission requirements at www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark.

“The Bark for Your Park program brought our community together to enhance our Bark Park. It was a citizen-driven effort, and since the park re-opened in March of 2017, the dog owners who love to use the park are even more invested,” said Lisa Davol, Deputy Director, Oconee County Parks & Recreation Department, a recipient of a $25,000 grant through the 2015 Bark for Your Park program. “We are grateful to be part of the Bark for Your Park grant program and for our citizen support in meeting a demand in our county to create a place where dogs can run freely.”

The 25 grants available through the 2017 Bark for Your Park program include five New Park Awards valuing $25,000 each, 10 Makeover Awards valuing $10,000 each, and 10 Enhancement Awards valuing $5,000 each.

Communities may submit an application that will be reviewed by an internal committee at PetSafe Brand today, May 1 through Friday, June 30, 2017. The communities selected to receive a grant will be announced in August 2017. Bark for Your Park grant recipients can receive a combination of funds as well as commercial-grade dog park equipment from UltraSite™, a PlayCore Company.

To kick off the 2017 Bark for Your Park grant-giving program, PetSafe Brand is naming Saturday, May 6 National Dog Park Day and will host a series of events across the country to celebrate. The goal of National Dog Park Day is to encourage pet owners to visit their favorite local dog park and meet like-minded dog owners.

Official PetSafe Brand sponsored National Dog Park Day celebrations will take place on May 6 in these cities:

• Tehachapi, California
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Epworth, Iowa
• Fort Gratiot, Michigan
• Knoxville, Tennessee
• Merrimack, New Hampshire

Dog owners who attend a National Dog Park Day celebration on Saturday, May 6 are encouraged to share pictures of the event on social media using #DogParkDay for a chance to win over $600 in PetSafe Brand products to turn their yard into a secure area for their pet to play.

About the PetSafe® Brand

PetSafe® Brand is an industry leader in the development of innovative pet behavioral, containment and lifestyle product solutions. PetSafe® Brand is owned by Radio Systems® Corporation and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For more information, please visit www.petsafe.net or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.