A Salina woman is hoping to win a $500,000 dog park for the community.

Heather Stanek and her dog Athens are one of 14 finalists in the Beneful Dream Dog Park Contest.

For the fourth year in a row the company is awarding a $500,000 Dream Dog Park makeover, creating an incredible place to play in the winner’s area.

Each entrant has written a short essay that answers the question, “If you had $500,000 to create a Dream Dog Park where you and your best buddy can PLAY together, what you would do?” Finalists created an video to accompany their entry.

The Grand Prize Winner’s Entry will help inspire the $500,000 makeover of a dog park in their area, and they will receive $10,000 along with a one-year supply of Beneful brand Dry Dog Food.

Heather’s entry essay:

“Athens and I have a very active lifestyle, as do many others in Salina. We would love to expand and add to our standard dog park to use up some of that energy! Since Salina is a family-based town, how about a dog park with a spin off the ol’ family classic shipwrecked tale, called Dog Island?!

The park could have an “Ocean” area with a splash area for those water loving dogs to enjoy on hot Kansas days! The “Island” could have a bridge that leads visitors (humans and canines alike) to a large hill or grassy area for dogs to run fast and have different elements to play around! Of course on an island there is a small sandy area, where dogs can dig to their heart’s desire! Shade structures and benches could be found around the island when a rest is needed.

A “Tree-House” play structure could be found in the middle of the island where humans and canines could be active; equipped with fun features such as tunnels, doggy slide, or a ramp! There could also be “Shipwreck Debris” where dogs can test their agility and jump through or run around hoops and equipment.

We would love to have a park were dogs and people can come and get away from the hustle and bustle for an hour or two, and pretend they are on their own doggy island adventure! ”

You can vote for Heather and Athens daily through December 5th.

Vote For Heather And Athens