Franklin Mayor's Youth Leadership Council plans fundraising walk for pet fountains on city trails

The Franklin Community High School group is planning Pets on the Trail, an inclusive and pet-friendly 1-mile walk beginning at the DriveHubler.com Amphitheater at Youngs Creek Park on April 26 from 1-3 p.m.

The cost to join the walk is $20 per human participant, with pets welcome to join in. People who sign up before April 12 will get a free pet bandanna. Registrants are also automatically entered to win an annual dog park pass and city of Franklin memorabilia.

Youth council members will also be selling homemade pet treats and bottles of water during the walk to raise additional funds for the water fountains.

Registration for the event is available on the Franklin Parks & Recreation website, under the programs page, at franklinin.myrec.com.

The council is raising money after getting approval for the project at a January Board of Works and Public Safety Meeting to place approximately two or three dog bowls on trails around the city. The council has identified potential spots, including at the Youngs Creek Park pickleball courts and near the trails at Needham Elementary School, Ben Worland, president of the youth council, said in January.

“The function is, of course, to provide clean water for pets around Franklin to drink while they’re on walks with their owners,” he said.

The project is expected to cost $6-10,000 to add water bowls that can be filled with water from existing drinking fountains on city trails.

Since there are already water fountains at the pickleball courts and elementary school, Worland and the council have asked to place the bowls at pre-existing water fountains rather than build a new one, he said.

Adding bowls at the pickleball court and elementary school water fountain would be $4,000, while adding another bowl would be $6,000 per additional fountain, he said.

After funds are raised and quotes are acquired, the council will come back to the board for final approval.

Each year, the youth council learns about city government and works with Mayor Steve Barnett, Chief of Staff Tara Payne and other city leaders to complete an annual project benefiting the community. Recent projects have included the Youngs Creek Park EV charging station, the roundabout sculpture at FCHS, utility box paintings and more.