Submitted to & edited by New Tampa Neighborhood News
Despite a total washout of a fund-raising event scheduled for August 10, the Rotary Club of New Tampa is proud to already have been able to raise a few dollars for its planned dog park (which also is being funded by a matching grant from the City of Tampa), which is getting to ready to be built in Tampa Palms.
Mother Nature washed out the Rotary Club’s first attempt at hosting a “Dog Days of Summer” concert in Primrose Park in Tampa Palms on August 10. But, on August 17, the sultry days of summer were in full effect. Lightning and heavy rains did also arrive during the middle of the rescheduled event that might have scuttled the concert, but the spirits of the 100 people and canines on hand refused to be dampened, despite the downpour.
The August 17 Dog Days concert featured acoustic, classic rock, and folk music from area artists Pamela Jo Hatley and J. Steele Olmstead, Bob Thompson and Sam Osborne. Proceeds benefited the New Tampa Rotary Dog Park, a collaborative project between the club and the City of Tampa. The club plans to break ground on the new dog park this fall. The festivities also featured several “Strut Your Mutt” contests for “Best Tail Wagger,” “Best Costume,” “Best Kisser” and “Best Trick.”
Event sponsors included Pebble Creek Animal & Bird Hospital and Honor Thy Pet Cremation & Funeral Service. Other corporate sponsors include the Rotary Club of New Tampa and Gunter & Gunter Insurance. Private sponsors have also donated an additional $4,000 to the project and Rotary District 6890 (which includes New Tampa) has also made a contribution.
On Saturday, September 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the New Tampa Rotary Club will host a table at the Dog Adoption Day at PetSmart (6248 Commerce Park Dr., near B.J.’s Wholesale Club, in Tampa Palms). Dog Park bricks will be sold and donations will be accepted.
The new dog park will be adjacent to the New Tampa Recreation Center & Skate Park on Commerce Park Blvd., less than three blocks from Freedom High and Liberty Middle School. The entrance to the park will be paved, with bricks lining both sides of the entrance.
New Tampa dog owners have requested a local dog park for years, and the Rotary Club of New Tampa has partnered with the City of Tampa to make this dream come true. The proposed $50,000 New Tampa Rotary Dog Park will feature fenced areas for both large and small dogs, with beautiful mature shade trees and grass all around. Drinking fountains and waste disposal will be provided, as well as park benches for owners.
To finance the dog park, the Rotary Club of New Tampa has embarked on a fund-raising campaign. Since all of the money raised will be matched by the City of Tampa, the club’s goal is to raise $25,000 and, to that end, $21,000 already has been raised by the Rotary, which has now sold 189 bricks, including 20 sold during the concert.
“We are very close to achieving our goal to raise all of the money by September,” said Joyce Gunter, Rotary Club of New Tampa member and Dog Park committee chair. “Our goal is to break ground in October and have the park open by Thanksgiving. We need the continued support of all area dog lovers to complete the fund-raising portion of the project.”
Individuals interested in supporting the New Tampa Rotary Dog Park can order a brick online for their best buddy. Prices start at $50 for a single 4” x 8” brick, up to $240 for three 8” x 8” squares. There are a variety of decoration, image and text options.
To purchase bricks online, visit RotaryDogPark.org. Sponsorships also are available and major sponsors will have their names listed on a large, professionally designed sign at the entrance to the park. Master Card, Visa, cash & checks are accepted by mail. Make checks payable to Rotary Club of New Tampa Foundation c/o Rotary Club of New Tampa, P.O. Box 46446, Tampa, FL 33646.
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