This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Beneful. All opinions are 100% mine.
My Toby LOVES to play. When it comes to choosing between play time and treat time – play wins EVERY time. I’m happy that he loves to play because all that exercise keeps him happy and healthy. While he has fun playing with us at home, he gets even more excited when his best friend Rue comes to play. When the two of them go to the dog park where they have LOTS of room to run the fun goes to a whole other level.
While we have a few nice dog parks in our area, there are others that could use quite a bit of help. The Beneful Dream Dog Park Project is in its 5th year of helping to improve and build dog parks across the country. For 2016 they’ll be positively impacting at least 12 parks through both financial support and hands on volunteerism!
Why are dog parks so important? There are multiple reasons. 42 percent of dog owners take their dogs to the dog park several times a week or more, and one of the key benefits dog parks provide for both dogs and their owners is allowing the dog to get exercise. I know that I usually get exercise in myself running around with Toby and my arm definitely gets a workout from throwing his ball over and over again! I’m not the only one who thinks that because nearly 80 percent (79%) of dog owners agree their local dog park provides a place for them to exercise and be healthy with their dogs.
Exercise is a big benefit of dog parks, but they also serve as community gathering places. Two-thirds (66%) of dog owners agree they love their local dog park. They are a fun and welcoming place because everyone is there because they love their dogs! Again polling dog owners, Beneful found that they found two of the most enjoyable parts of going to the dog park are being surrounded by other dogs and likeminded dog lovers (23%) and meeting new people (21%).
While the majority of dog owners love their dog parks, they DO see a need for improvement. When asked to select up to three features that were their favorite and/or ones they would like to have at their local park, responses included:
- Shaded areas (34%)
- Drinking fountains (31%)
- Water features for dogs to play in (28%)
- Dog-safe turf (25%)
- Better/more secure fencing (24%)
And even though dog parks are so loved by dog owners, many don’t have one nearby. The number one challenge to building or improving a local dog park, according to dog owners surveyed, is a lack of funding. That’s one reason Beneful is working with GoFundMe to encourage dog lovers to create campaigns for local dog parks to raise awareness and funds for improvements or to get a brand new park off the ground.
Each month, Beneful is selecting a new GoFundMe dog park campaign to spotlight on their website and social channels. They will provide dollar-for-dollar donation matching support, to help the projects reach their goals. Need support for a park in your community? Create a GoFundMe campaign and Beneful might spotlight it and help you get those funds raised!
You can also get involved by simply sharing a post of your own – whether it’s a photo of your dog at a local dog park or a link to
the Dream Dog Park Project website – on social media while tagging @Beneful and including the hashtag #DreamDogPark. Beneful will put $1 towards the Dream Dog Park Projects this year (up to $50,000) for every social share!
Reader Giveaway: One lucky Thrifty Jinxy reader will win a Beneful Dream Dog Park ‘Dog Park Pack’ including a branded bag, leash, Frisbee, tennis ball and Beneful coupons. To enter, just complete the entry form below by 7/28/16. Good luck!
James Doyle says
i wish it was in tampa!
ELIZABETH CURSON says
I’m a huge dog lover & have 2 of my own and I love how dog parks keep them happy and healthy.
Alex Bradley says
I thinks this is an amazing idea! Not only are dog parks great for exercise but they help to socialize dogs for healthy behaviors and emotions!
Danielle Weidknecht says
I like that they have a guide for starting your own community dog park!
Carolsue says
I learned they have supported nine different dog parks and hope to support more. There are none near me, either. 🙁
Elena says
I like that there is a park near me in San Diego
Rosanne says
They have been building dog parks since 2010 but none in my community yet
Michelle D. says
Would love this. Have lots of dogparks in my city my bulldog and I frequent.
vickie couturier says
I learned
The Beneful Dream Dog Park Project helps further Beneful’s mission of celebrating the joyful life dogs and owners share together by supporting dog park improvement and construction projects across the U.S
Richard Hicks says
I learned they have an interactive map to find one of their parks
Sally Gearhart says
Wow, what an awesome project! I learned that Beneful Dream Dog Park has helped since 2010 and you can nominate a park near you.
nickie says
They have been building dog parks since 2010.
Janice Wright says
They give ideas on how to act at a dog park, such as resist texting or talking on your cell phone, reading the newspaper, eating a meal or engaging in any other type of behavior that prevents you from supervising your dog.
Vickie P says
What a great giveaway aand youmcannotmfind many like this. THANK YOU so much for thismooportunity, my shepherd says Pleazzz pick us!
Jennifer R says
I learned that the closest Beneful Dog Park to me is Willow Creek Dog Park — Prescott, AZ complete with fire truck theme.
Justin Sparks says
I dont think alot of owners understand how crucial it is to get your dog out at parks and for walks as well as socializing with other dogs. Dogs just want to be loyal. There is no such thing as a bad dog just bad owners. We have a sign at the animal shelter that says if you want to help keep dogs out of the animal shelter then walk your dog once a day.
Cynthia Mercado says
It seems like there shoud be many more dog parks sponsored. These are great for exercise for the dog and their person..
Lori Walker says
I liked that they highlight real gofundme efforts for dogs.
Sandy H says
I like that they have been building parks for 16 years.
Julie Murphy says
They have one in St. Louis
Angela Winesburg says
They have been building dog parks since 2010.
Denise S says
I like the map showing the dog parks they’ve supported.
Mary Cloud says
Very nice – there’s not one near me but I like the concept and how you can bond with your dog
Brittney House says
I like how they help you start your own community dog park.
Charlene S. says
I enjoyed reading the article on Dog Park Safety & First Aid Tips. Lots of helpful information that every dog owner should read.
Marianna says
I learned they have guides for starting new dog parks or renovating existing dog parks
deanna says
I like that they help better parks. It says Dog parks strengthen the bond between us and our dogs.
Angela Saver says
I learned that they have supported parks in more than 16 communities, including St. Louis & Kansas City, Missouri since 2010!
Karla R. says
I saw the parks they support.
Wanda Banks says
I learned about the importance of bonding with my dog because it leads to positivism.
Cynthia R says
I love how the website shows a special gofundme dog park project to contribute towards.
Monique Rizzo says
I learned there are Go Fund Me pages for dogs. Great idea! Thank you for the giveaway.
Rachael Burch says
i love this idea. great for dogs and owners alike.
Laurajj says
I learned that they have a guide to help you spruce up your local dog park!
Renee Grosskreuz says
I learned that there is a Beneful dream dog park.Interesting.
Martina Holbrook says
I love how they are working to bring dog lovers together! So important! I hope we win! @oakley.anne will love it!
Susan Smith says
I learned they have supported nine different dog parks and hope to support more. This is a great idea.
rickel bart says
have almost 10 and are adding more
Laura Schrillo says
They have several parks but none in my area
ROSE O. says
I learned that Beneful cares about dogs and their social life
Jenna Hudson says
I just love that Baneful is helping dogs and their owners in general! I totally think there should be more dog parks overall!
Michelle Robbins says
You have an opportunity to get a park project sponsored close to you. I probably need to take my dogs to a dog park to get them more socialized vs barking or being afraid of other dogs. Beneful is helping. It’s the brand food we have at home right now.
Heather Duquaine says
I loved this article!
joe gersch says
I like that there is one in PA
michelle jacobsen says
I found out where my closest dog park is!
natalie yeoman says
i learned that they have some gofundme that can help support dog parks
susan smoaks says
i learned that dog parks strengthen the bond between dogs and people.