Submitted by Gwen Aumann

 Set in the North Georgia Mountains, Friends of Unicoi State Park saw the beginning of an annual event at the park for years to come. The Friends of Unicoi's 2011 Bark in the Park was the first big fundraising event for the park. It all began in April 2011 when Gwen Aumann, Vice President of Friends of Unicoi, applied for $5,000 in funding for her chapter. Friends of Unicoi worked with park staff to raise additional funds needed to bring about much-needed park improvements, such as washers and dryers for the campgrounds at Unicoi. Additional funding went towards hosting a dog event to raise money for the park and increase dog awareness and community education. With only three months to prepare, a committee was formed, preparing for Unicoi's first "Bark In The Park."