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Bessemer City, NC (WNN)- What started as a community service project idea has now come to life, thanks to the work of 17-year-old Kings Mountain Boy Scout Nathaniel Kaiser.
On November 13th, 2025, City officials, Boy Scouts, and some of Kaiser's family members came together at Kevin Millwood Park to celebrate something Bessemer City has never had before: a dog park. The project, which took over a year to plan and fundraise, served as Kiser's Eagle Scout service project.
Mayor Becky Smith praised Kaiser at the ceremony. She said many people talk about what the community needs, but few actually do something about it.
Bessemer City Mayor Becky Smith with Nathaniel Kaiser and Parks and Recreation Director Jo-D Franklin. November 13th,2025
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
"So many people have said, Oh, we need a dog park, but that's all they do," Smith said. "They say it, but they don't do anything about it. You're a man of action. When you say it, you do it."
Kaiser got the idea to build a dog park from his own dog, who needed more space to run and play.
"My dog, we take him on walks and everything throughout the neighborhood, but he doesn't have anywhere to really run around and have somewhere he can really just play free. And there's no dog parks close to where we live" Kaiser said.
Two dog's playing at the dog park. November 13th,2025
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Bessemer City's Parks and Recreation Director Jo-D Franklin spoke at the ribbon cutting. He mentioned that the project took a lot of careful planning.
"It's been about a year with this," Franklin said. "Nathaniel and his dad, John, came to the Parks and Recreation department with the concept of a dog park. And this isn't something that happens overnight. It took tremendous planning."
Franklin said they looked at several areas in Kevin Millwood Park and other areas within the town. Kaiser even made computer drawings to show what the park would look like.
"He went all out. I mean, it was just very impressive," Franklin said. "He'd make a good Parks and Rec guy one day because he is very, very thorough."
Kaiser raised about $5,000 for the project. He held spaghetti dinners, sold barbecue and breakfast plates, and worked at a friend's farm. He also attempted to raise money online through GoFundMe. After raising the money, he started reaching out to the city's leaders.
When asked about how it felt when he got approval for the project, Kaiser had this to say. "I felt great. I mean, you know, this is the biggest Eagle Scout project our troop had, and you know, especially things like the financial costs, it's not just something people say yes to, so I was pleasantly surprised."
Kings Mountain Troop 92 Scoutmaster John Kaiser with his son Nathaniel and other Troop members. November 13th,2025
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Kaiser's dad and Troop 92's Scoutmaster John Kaiser thanked several individuals who helped make the project happen.
"We'd like to Thank Jo-D Franklin. Most of all, he was very supportive of the project. And the Parks and Rec committee, the mayor, and the city council. Kelly Hendrick is one of our scout masters. He helped in some way. And we had other scouts in our troop help." He said.
He also mentioned that Lowe's was very supportive in helping them obtain some of the necessary supplies for building the park.
The dog park features a black chain-link fence that separates the two areas. One is for dogs over 25 pounds. The other is for dogs 25 pounds or less. Both sides have wooden picnic tables where owners can sit. Green stations around the park have bags for picking up dog waste.
The fence for small dogs, 25lbs or less. November 13th,2025
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Several dogs attended the ceremony and played in the fenced areas after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Bessemer City Pet Hospital was on site with a table that featured dog treats, toys, including blue Nerf discs, and baked goods. Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement also attended the ceremony.
The blue nerf discs on the Bessemer City Pet Hospital's table. November 13th,2025
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
The dog park opens at 7 a.m. and closes at sunset. It is located at 400 N 8th St, Bessemer City, NC 28016.
Bessemer City Dog Park Rules. November 13th,2025
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
If you know where Grandma Hoyt's Country Buffet and The Local Pet Hospital are, you're in the right area. Just go between the two places, and you'll see the park straight ahead. As you turn right, you'll find parking spaces.
The road between Grandma Hoyt's Country Buffet and The Pet Hospital in Bessemer City, NC
Google Maps
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