One year ago, I opened The Chocolate Dog, combining my passion for creating delicious handmade chocolate (for people!) with my love for dogs. Shortly after opening, I realized I wanted to give back to the amazing community that supports my business. I noticed a real need for a local dog park—a place where our four-legged friends and their humans could gather, play, and connect. Inspired by this vision, I sent a proposal to the city, and within about five days, they generously approved one acre of land for us to start building a city dog park.

The Deer River Dog Park Project is a true community effort, bringing together local businesses, the City of Deer River, and the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. The city has provided the land and will maintain the park, while the foundation is ensuring all donations are managed with care. This project is about more than just a place for dogs to run—it's about creating a welcoming space where people can share stories, build friendships, and strengthen our community bonds, all centered around the love we have for our dogs.

We are raising funds to put up about 850 feet of fencing with separate entrance and exit gates, as well as to add benches, signs, and trash cans. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we have already raised a significant portion of what we need. I am blown away by all the support we've received thus far, and I am certain this park is going to be such an asset to our small town. With your help, we can bridge the final gap and make the Deer River Dog Park a reality. Thank you for believing in this dream and for supporting our community!