For former Jacksonian Harrison Forbes, it was a homecoming of sorts, and the City of Jackson welcomed him with open arms.

Forbes, who calls Franklin home, and serves as the Dog Park Dash grant coordinator was in Jackson to present a $25,000 check to the City of Jackson for the Downtown Dog Park, 133 Union Avenue, which is located near Jackson Walk Apartments.

“I’m supposed to be impartial with the Dog Dash Program, but I’m super excited to be back in Jackson,” Forbes said, “This is a contest … it wasn’t a giveaway. Jackson stepped up and showed why they needed another grant for one for this park.

“It’s a fantastic park (and) this money will go to expand that and make it for everybody who even wants to drive down here (and) for people who live downtown who want to bring their pets.”

Specifically, funds will purchase agility equipment and toys for dogs; benches, tables, and covered pavilion for their humans.

The park serves the Jackson downtown area, Lambuth Area Neighborhood and the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital or midtown area.

“Years ago when we started Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association (LANA), what were some of the things we dreamed about? Probably the last thing we would have thought about was a dog park,” Frank McMeen said, “We were just trying to get stable housing, a safe neighborhood … but to have something like a dog park just adds to the stability of the neighborhood.”

Frank McMeen is the president of The Foundation and the Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association.

The Boyd Foundation was instrumental in development and opening of the Dr. Vicki Schneider Lake Dog Park with a $100,000 grant.

The park officially opened September 18, 2020.

Located beyond right field at The Ballpark at Jackson, the 11-acre park includes areas for small and large dogs with agility courses and water features.

(PHOTO: Dog Park Dash award presentation at the Downtown Dog Park, 133 Union Avenue)