The Bryan County Bark Park is celebrating the addition of a new pergola with benches to the park, built and donated by local Eagle Scout Bennet Hicks.

Hicks, a Richmond Hill resident, completed his Eagle Scout project on Nov. 13, 2021, by overseeing and working on the construction of the pergola. Several community volunteers and members of Boy Scout Troop #527 also helped with the project, thus providing another shaded area for Bark Park visitors to enjoy.

The Bark Park is located within Devaul Henderson Park, 500 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Richmond Hill.

“As part of my Eagle Scout Project, I chose to build a pergola for the Bark Park as a way to give back to my local community,” Hicks said. “With everything that Ms. Wendy does, I thought it be a great way to help her out and to incentivize people to get out and enjoy the wonderful outdoors with their furry friends.”

Bark Park President and co-founder Wendy Bolton expressed her gratitude for Hicks’ work on the project and the contributions of others who participated.

“The pergola looks great and will provide much needed shade as well as a nice place to sit near Bryan’s Playground, our agility course. Bennet, the volunteers and the Boy Scouts did a wonderful job, and we truly appreciate their efforts. It is through community support like this that we can keep the park up and running for all to enjoy,” Bolton said.

Bryan County Bark Park Association, Inc. is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that works to provide an off-leash dog park for the Richmond Hill, GA area that is safe for families and where well-behaved dogs can safely run free, socialize and play. The association also ensures that the Bark Park provides a well-maintained and clean environment for all responsible dog owners in the community. For more information about the Bark Park, please visit www.bryanbarkpark.com