Local Dog Owner's Dream Could Inspire a Half-Million Dollar Dogpark Renovation

SARASOTA – Sarasota resident Lori Sykora and her furry, four-legged friend Ladi’lee have been selected as one of 14 finalists advancing to the final round of the contest that asked “If you had $500,000 to create a Dream Dog Park where you and your best buddy can play together, what would you do?”

More than one thousand dog owners across the country entered the fourth annual Beneful Dream Dog Park Contest and the Grand Prize Winner will receive $10,000 cash and a one year supply of Beneful brand dry dog food, while their ideas help serve as inspiration for a $500,000 Beneful Dream Dog Park renovation of a dog park in their local area.

From now through December 5, dog lovers in the local community to visit BenefulDreamDogPark.com and cast a vote for her video entry. In addition to the public vote, which represents 30 percent of the total score to select the Grand Prize Winner, the finalists video entries will be judged by the Beneful Dream Team. Their judging will count for 70 percent of the final total score.

The Beneful Dream Team consists of designer and dog lover Nate Berkus, who will help design the fourth $500,000 Dream Dog Park renovation; licensed contractor Jason Cameron who hosts DIY Network’s “Desperate Landscapes” and “Man Caves,” and manages the renovation; pet expert Arden Moore, who oversees the renovation from the dog’s point of view; and a Beneful brand representative.

The finalists in the 2013 contest were asked to create, narrate and submit a video up to two minutes in length that showed their typical daily adventure together with their dog in their current dog park and explained their ideas to make it even better if they had the chance to help inspire a Dream Dog Park renovation. Some of the ideas in Sykora’s circus-themed entry include: colorful features everywhere with water and play stations as well as ample benches and shade. 

All runners up will receive a one-year supply of Beneful brand dry dog food. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced in December 2013, and the fourth Beneful Dream Dog Park will be unveiled in summer 2014. For more information and to vote, visit BenefulDreamDogPark.com.