Friday Deadline for Top Dog Contest

The deadline for entering your dog in the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department's Top Dog contest is midnight Friday, April 13.

The city's Top Dog will serve as Mayor of Chattapoochee Dog Park at the grand opening and ribbon-cutting Saturday, April 28. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.

Owners of canine mayoral candidates must live in Duluth or own a business in the city. A photograph must be submitted with an official entry form. The forms are available at the Bunten Road Park Activity Building, Duluth City Hall and the Duluth Historical Society. Owners must describe their dog’s special qualities and leadership abilities on the entry form.

The winner will serve a term of one year and will serve as grand marshal of the Chattapoochee Pet Fest in October. The pet fest will be held in the dog park.

A copy of the official rules and an entry form accompany this article.

The dog park, which opened for public use in early January, was closed from Feb. 27 until April 1 to allow for sod repair and installation of park benches and dog agility equipment. The interactive fountains, which had been winterized, are now operating. More agility equipment will be added later.

The park, which features separate areas for large and small dogs, reopened April 1.

The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department and Duluth Historical Society are co-sponsoring the grand opening ceremony.

Chattapoochee Dog Park is located in Rogers Bridge Park near the Chattahoochee River. The park's name was chosen in a citizen contest.