Braving the frigid winter weather, Blake McCollister and his golden retriever Murray were out enjoying a sunny day at the recently re-opened Sweat Mountain dog park this week.Says McCollister, “Murray is only one-and-a-half years old and he has an enormous amount of energy to burn. It’s great being able to come out to the park where he can run and play with the other dogs. I didn’t have a dog growing up. I love spending time with him."McCollister, a native of Georgia who has lived in Northeast Cobb since he was two years old, is a graduate of Lassiter High School where he was an active member…

Natalie Sullivan, a Sweat Mountain dog park lover and Northeast Cobb resident for 15 years, normally visits the park with her dog Dolce in the afternoons, but was out and about early this week.“I’m usually part of the evening crowd here at the park," said Sullivan. “but being recently laid off, I decided to bring Dolce out to see what the mornings are like here. It’s been very nice and relaxing so far.”Sullivan, a former pharmaceutical salesperson, had been searching the want ads when she decided to take a break and enjoy playtime with Dolce, a Besenji breed of dog, which is one of the most …

Kennesaw resident, and Marietta landscaper, Troy Hickman makes a point of visiting the Sweat Mountain dog park at least twice a week so he and his three dogs Sierra, Gemma and Tibby can enjoy the great outdoors.“It’s such a great park. The dogs get to socialize freely with other pets, and I get to meet a few new people myself,” said Hickman.An area resident for four years, Hickman moved to Kennesaw from Vallejo, California due to his mother's death.“When my mother passed away, I decided to move closer to my family who live in Kennesaw and Marietta," he said. “I could have moved anywhere in …

After a two year absence, Kris Harrelson and his 10-year-old hound/boxer mixed canine buddy Pica were out early Wednesday morning to enjoy a beautiful fall day at the Sweat Mountain leash-free dog park.Harrelson, a resident of Northeast Cobb for the past five years, was a regular at the park before the birth of his daughter two years ago, who in his words, “has been a handful to take care of."“Our daughter is in preschool now,” said Harrelson. “I have a little free time to bring Pica back to the park for some fun and exercise.”Originally from Savannah, Harrelson moved to Athens, G.A. several …

Kathy Belongia, first grade teacher at Davis Elementary, and Northeast Cobb resident since 2005, only recently started coming to Sweat Mountain dog park, after purchasing their new family dog, Sayde, who is now an eight-month-old Goldendoodle.“A Goldendoodle," explained Belongia, “is a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs don’t shed, and have an easy going temperament.”Hailing from Simpsonville, S.C., Belongia and her family moved to Northeast Cobb due to a company transfer by her husband’s employer. “Since we had five kids, with two in high school at the time, we wanted to…

Marilyn Kontrafouris-Eleftheriou, part-time nurse for Wellstar Health System and Patch contributor, has made many friends and acquaintances during her frequent visits to the Sweat Mountain dog park with her black Labrador Retriever Teddy. “I’ve been coming here for several years. I’ve gotten to know a lot of the regulars that visit here, too,” said Kontrafouris-Eleftheriou. Having grown up in New England, Kontrafouris-Eleftheriou’s family first moved to Northeast Cobb in 1988 in search of better job opportunities. Kontrafouris-Eleftheriou remained in Northeast Cobb until 1994 when she moved …

Geoffrey Hobbs, a retail salesman and resident of Northeast Cobb since 1987, enjoys visiting the Sweat Mountain leash-free dog park several times a week to spend quality time with his two dogs, Sunny and Lucy.Born in New York City, and growing up in Boston, Hobbs has lived and worked in several states across the U.S., including Tennessee and Miami, Florida, where he was a news reporter and general feature writer.“I did the same kind of thing Patch is doing,” said Hobbs. “Talking to the man on the street and interviewing local business owners. Back then we didn’t have the Internet. We still …

Long-time friends Debbi Brooks and Deborah Pesta meet several times a week at the Sweat Mountain dog park to catch up and discuss current affairs while their canine friends live it up outdoors. Pesta, a CPA by trade, who now lives in Cherokee County. She is an active volunteer for Cherokee FOCUS, a charitable organization helping to improve the lives of children and families in Cherokee County. She still visits the dog park because it’s one of the best leash-free dog parks around, she said, and she has friends that live in the area. “Hailey is actually a friend’s dog, but she is crated during…

Rob Williams, an entrepreneur and political blog writer, has been a dog park regular for the past several years, ever since his daughter first brought Jonesy home. “My daughter knew someone who was leaving the country to go and climb the Himalayas,” said Williams. “He needed someone to take his Chinese Shar Pei, and she just showed up with him one day. I knew that I would eventually be the one taking care of him.” Jonesy has become an important part of Williams’ life over the years. Williams reminisced how his dog helped him through some difficult times, especially when his mother passed away…

Cathy Sicard, her dog Pablo, and her son’s dog, Nugget, enjoy spending a few days a week taking in the fresh air and talking with others at the Sweat Mountain dog park.Sicard, a nurse by education, but Lassiter High School student mom and homemaker at present, has lived in the Northeast Cobb area for the past 26 years. A New Yorker by birth, Sicard and her husband moved to Georgia due to a job transfer by Mr. Sicard’s employer. Upon the advice of their real estate agent, they eventually decided to make Northeast Cobb their home.“Our real estate agent’s husband was a coach at Lassiter, and she…

Despite the clouds and intermittent rain, Mary Duguay, a 40-year resident of Northeast Cobb, was out with her “grand dogs” enjoying a peaceful morning at the Sweat Mountain dog park on Wednesday.“When my son is out of town, I take care of his dogs, Lucy and Runway. We love coming out to the dog park. They get so excited when I just mention the word park," said Duguay.Originally hailing from Wisconsin, Duguay moved to Georgia some 40 years ago for a job offer. During that time, she met her future husband Jim Duguay. The two have been happily living in Northeast Cobb ever since.“We’re both …

Charlie Freed, a 24 year resident of Northeast Cobb and retired GE employee, visits the Sweat Mountain leash-free dog park on a regular basis.Says Freed, “This is the best leash-free dog park anywhere in Cobb County. Most of the other parks have few if any trees and, this park is full of them. It would be hard to stay outside for any length of time in the other parks but, this one stays pretty comfortable with all the shade.”That’s good news for Freed’s dog, Penny, who is a golden retriever with lots of energy to burn.Freed moved from Pennsylvania to the Northeast Cobb area in 1987 for his …

Tim Rain, a private real estate investor and resident of Northeast Cobb since 1987, has just recently starting coming to the leash-free Sweat Mountain Dog Park.“I didn’t even know the park had a leash-free area,” said Rain. “Last October when I adopted my dog Jack from the Cobb County Animal Control, a friend told me about this place.”Rain and Jack are park regulars, visiting at least five days a week. They have come to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere the area offers. “It’s a great way to meet new and interesting people,” said Rain.Charles Sevier and his dog Roxy, who are friends of Rain, were …

Sweat Mountain Dog Park is a great place to let your pet burn off some energy and enjoy the great outdoors. The park can have beneficial effects on your state of mind as well.Steve Sinton and his two dogs Scout and Jake are regular visitors to the dog park. Sinton visits the park not only to give his pets a break from being in the house all day, but to take a mental break for himself.“Coming to the park lets you make connections with other people outside the usual confines we experience with neighbors and co-workers everyday. A lot of us here know each other by just our dogs’ names. The park …

Visitors of the The Sweat Mountain Dog Park shared their opinion about the life, legacy, and death of their neighbor, the late State Rep. Bobby Franklin.  Jamie Russo and Lauren Vandiver are college students who regularly visit the park with their two dogs, Mattie and Lillie.  "I am very saddened about the death of Bobby Franklin. He was still quite young and died so suddenly. I only hope that everyone can look past his controversial efforts and pay him respect," said Russo. "The candidate I am expecting to take his seat should be someone who is willing to stand up for what they believe in, …

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to raise the millage rate from a total of 9.6 mills to 11.11 mills for the year that ends Sept. 30. Tax bills start going out Aug. 15. Before the Tuesday night vote, residents who were eager to give their opinions concerning the tax hike did so at the most peaceful and enjoyable place for pets and families: Sweat Mountain Dog Park.  Northeast Cobb resident Randy Hancock is in favor the tax hike. "The county is in a huge deficit from what I understand and I know they had at least two town hall meetings about the issue. I am for the tax …