Tehachapi, WE WON!

I am extremely excited to announce that TVRPD has been awarded $25,000 through the 2014 PetSafe "Bark For Your Park" contest! We finished 3rd in the nation in total votes, plus won the Small City category!

Our status is listed at:

http://petsafe.net/barkforyourpark/

It is creative and "out of the box" efforts like this that truly maximize government's ability to provide excellent public service. Together we have financially realized yet another valuable public resource for Tehachapi!

I, on behalf of TVRPD, could not be prouder of the public participation, support, and recognition this contest has brought to Tehachapi. A very special shout out to Zach and Liz at Marley's Mutts for bringing the creative and all powerful Mutt Militia; Sparks Arts for maximizing our digital campaign; local media Tehachapi News, The Loop newspaper and Tehachapi Lifestyle Magazine for really getting the local word out; and all those who voted!

While not a "true grant", the criteria and disbursment of the award is similar to that of traditional government grants, thus TVRPD must use the entire disbursement for dog park specific development; design, construction, and related amenities. Specifics can be viewed at: http://petsafe.net/barkforyourpark/--contest-rules/ (Be sure to read rule #9).

The fact we did not win the grand prize (Top Dog = $100k) qualifies us as a community to compete again next year for the grand or runner up awards. TVRPD has already began preliminary dialog on how to orchestrate a successful campaign for next year, which we see the formation of a "Bark For Your Park" committee made of local/regional pet lovers, public agency liaisons, community and political leaders, the Tehachapi Parks Foundation and other non-profits, media and, of course, all local/regional pet service providers.

Play up! Live up! Bark up!