Family Dollar Helping Build Dog Park in Seminole Heights

A few months ago, city officials met with residents and dog owners in Seminole Heights to talk all things dog park.

Some wondered why amenities for local furry friends were needed. Others clicked the donation tab on a website created specifically for the project, eager to aid with the building of signs, fencing and fountains for their pets at Henry and Ola Park.

In the midst of the discussion, the grassroots project has found an unlikely sponsor: Family Dollar.

The embattled North Carolina-based retailer recently opened its doors at 5100 N. Florida Avenue to the dismay of a core group of residents whose desire is to keep Seminole Heights free of big box chains.
 
Of the $6,000 that has been raised so far to jumpstart the dog park on Henry Avenue, $600 came from Family Dollar, said Mauricio Rosas, one of the project's organizers. One-hundred of the $600 donation is for gift cards to buy treats, doggy bags or other items for the project, according to an email from Family Dollar spokeswoman Bryn Winburn.

"I see them wanting to become a part of the neighborhood," said Rosas.

Winburn said Family Dollar often donates to nonprofits or grassroots projects like the dog park.

"We are always happy to help where we can," she said. "We wanted to get involved with the Seminole Heights community. We wanted to be a good community partner, and this one way to do that."

City officials estimated about $38,000 would be needed to build the dog park. Rosas said if about $16,000 is raised, city officials will use their resources to help start the project.

Meanwhile, front porch parties and a beer called Puppy's Breath Porter offered by Joey Redner of Cigar City Brewing are on tap as fundraisers designed to help the dog park come alive.

For now, two things are key in the dog park building process, according to Rosas.

"We're raising money," he said, "and awareness."

For more information, go to http://seminoleheightsdogparktampa.com. For list of city dog parks, click here.

What do you think of Family Dollar's donation? Tell us in the comments.