UCF student hopes to make over dog park

Growing up in Palm Bay, UCF student Stormie Baker often spent her weekends soaking up the atmosphere of Cocoa Beach with her family. Now, Baker's hoping to share her love for the beach with man's best friend through a dog park makeover in her community.

"I grew up on the beach and I've been going to the same one for almost 10 years now," Baker said. "I thought it would be great to have a similar experience at a dog park where everyone comes together to have fun and share a passion for dogs."

Baker, an interpersonal/organizational communications major, is one of 15 finalists in Beneful's 2011 Dream Dog Park contest, where the winner will receive an in-kind donation of $500,000 to makeover a dog park in his or her area. In addition, the selected contestant will also receive a $10,000 prize and a year's supply of dry dog food.

If chosen, Baker said she would like to make a beach-themed park, since Brevard County doesn't have any dog-friendly beaches. Baker hopes that her redesign will be ideal for dogs, like her 3-year-old dachshund, Abraham, and their owners.

"There was a petition going around for a dog-friendly beach that over 3,000 people signed," Baker said. "Right now [Brevard County] still hasn't accepted it, so I thought if there isn't going to be a dog beach, why not make a beach-inspired dog park?"

In her entry video, Baker said her ideal make over of the park will consist of a sand-to-water pool, palm trees and lounge chairs for pet-owners to suntan on while their canines play.

Baker also wants to add a boardwalk where dog owners can get their pets' names carved on a plank. Proceeds from the plank, prize money and dog food will go to the local Humane Society.

If the design is approved, then Baker's vision will make over the Palm Bay Regional Park's existing dog park in the area. If not, another dog park in the county will be selected, instead.

"I want the park to be a place where owners and dogs can come together and enjoy Florida's beautiful weather," Baker said. "It's a place for the dogs to just run around and have a good time."

Lauren Merrell, a customer at Fired Up Pizzeria where Baker works, helped Baker work on the project. She said the dog park's theme is what makes Baker's contest entry stand out above the rest.

"I think her theme really speaks to the area that we live in," Merrell said. "It caters to the local residents and what we enjoy about the area."

Baker said that while her major is in communications, winning the contest will definitely help her in the future.

"It'll help me if I win the contest because it's something great to put on my résumé," she said. "It'll show [a potential employer] the outreach I tried to do in the community."

Merrell said that Baker's work ethic and upbeat attitude is what ultimately has contributed to her success.

"I honestly don't know how she balances everything," Merrell said. "She has a strong focus on school and studying in addition to all the hours she works [at the restaurant] – her time management is great, and that's how she got this contest entry completed. I hope she gets far."

Anyone can vote for the finalists once per day at www.wagworld.com/DreamDogPark. Voting for the contest ends on Sept. 8 at 11:59 a.m.

Baker hopes that if she is selected, she will be able to make a difference for dogs and dog owners in the area and she wants to inspire others to do the same.

"Be proactive in your community, and if you see something interesting that can help in your local area, then you should try everything you can to help improve it," she said.