Growing up in New Hampshire, Jan Ekonomy feared dogs, while her sister, Nancy Connor, loved them.

But Mrs. Ekonomy's canine phobia began to subside after Nancy died in 2001. Looking for a way to pay tribute to her, Mrs. Ekonomy is spearheading a campaign to create a dog park in Southlake, where she lives.

"What inspired me was my sister's love for animals," Mrs. Ekonomy said. "It was one thing I thought I could do to honor her in some way."

Nancy often took her mutt Boo Boo to a dog park near her California home.
Mrs. Ekonomy's idea hit upon a local trend in park planning and sent Southlake officials into action.
After talking with Southlake's Parks and Recreation Department and other area dog owners, Mrs. Ekonomy organized an event to raise funds for a dog park. In September, Boo Boo's Buddies – named for Nancy's dog – drew more than 1,200 dog owners and raised more than $6,500 for the project.