2010 News Archive 

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Johns Creek resident wins Beneful contest

The Newtown Dog Park is getting a $500,000 facelift, thanks to Beneful, the dog food company.

In a nationwide competition, Beneful selected a video and essay by Johns Creek resident Pat McNeely about the ideal dog park, and then the company agreed to spend $500,000 to make his ideas a reality at Newtown Park.

Dog expert Arden Moore, Beneful Brand Manager Joe Chatman, Television Host and Design Expert Jason Cameron, Mayor Mike Bodker, contest winner Pat McNeely, and Koda at the unveiling of the new dog park plan.

"When it's finished, this dog park will be a gem," said Mayor Mike Bodker. "Dog owners love their pets, and this will be a fun place for them to go. It will be one more significant quality of life improvement for residents of Johns Creek."

With several reporters, supporters and dignitaries in attendance, Beneful on Sept. 8 unveiled a plan designed by the Beneful WagWorld Dream Team. Using some of McNeely's ideas, designer and television host Jason Cameron and best-selling author Arden Moore crafted the park plans, which include surfacing the acre-sized dog park with artificial turf, a pond, tunnels and obstacles, and drinking fountains for pets and people. The plans were approved by the City's Public Works Department.

Construction should be finished in the Spring.

At the ceremony, Bodker thanked McNeely and his dog Koda, and told them they would leave a meaningful legacy to the City. He also expressed appreciation to Beneful for their generous gift, saying it would be an addition much appreciated by the City's dog-lovers like himself.

Beneful's online contest invited dog-owners nationwide to create a video from May 3 to June 18 that answered the question: If you had $500,000 to create the ultimate dog park for you and your best buddy, what would you do?

McNeely's 2-minute video featuring his Siberian husky Koda was selected by a panel of judges and by the public who voted online. McNeely also won $5,000.