Lancaster woman wins national dog park contest

(Lancaster) -- A central Pennsylvania woman has won the top prize in a nationwide contest for her idea for a so-called "dog amusement park."

Angela Bauman of Lancaster submitted her proposal to the 2012 Beneful Dream Dog Park Contest earlier this year, not even thinking anyone would look at it.

But, Bauman and her dog, Beau, became finalists, and ultimately earned the most votes from the public -- winning the competition.

Bauman plans to use the $500,000 prize from the pet food company to help build an amusement park for dogs.

"Similar to an amusement park, like Hersheypark or something," Bauman explains. "Something that would encourage dogs to run over hills and things like that, and then a splash water area and an indoor area for the cold months."

Bauman says the money will most likely help upgrade an existing park in the city.

She envisions a space where people can engage and interact with their pets.

There's no word yet on when the park will be built.