Swampscott dog park group applies for Pepsi grant

SWAMPSCOTT – Swampscott Park for Off-Leash Time (SPOT) has entered the Pepsi Refresh contest, a nationwide grant program dedicated to making a positive impact in communities.SPOT is going head-to-head with thousands of other ideas for a $25,000 grant. The winner of the contest will be determined by the number of votes cast for each idea. To vote visit www.refresheverything.com/spot. Voting ends May 30.According to the grant application, if the grant is received, $12,000 of it would be used for fencing, $10,000 for landscaping the area and the remainder would be used to purchase benches and refuse containers.The off-leash dog park was the brainstorm of an ad hoc group of residents. The group has been raising money for several years to pay for the project, which would be located on town owned property.SPOT Chairman Marc Eichler said the proposed off-leash dog park would utilize approximately half an acre in Phillips Park in the vicinity of the former Kids Cove playground. Plans call for a five foot high fence on all four sides and a double gate to prevent dogs from getting out accidentally. He added the project would not cut off public access to the soccer fields located in the rear of Phillips Park.