Yesterday, Aug. 7, 2017, the City of Destin unveiled the sign at the dog park to reflect its new name, the Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park. Nancy was the driving force to create the dog park, working with city officials for years to make the project a reality. She passed away recently from a short battle with cancer.
The Destin City Council presented a proclamation in her honor at its June 19 meeting, recognizing Nancy for her volunteer efforts in the city. The council also voted unanimously in favor of renaming the dog park in her honor.
Nancy’s dedication to Destin dates back to 1990 and includes countless hours working on city committees. She was the chair of the Public Works/Public Safety Committee and vice-chair of the Harbor Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee for many years. She was also an advocate for affordable housing and literacy in the community. Her husband, Tom, (a former city councilman) has led a life of service by volunteering in the community, as well. The pair made it a point over the years to show support of the city by attending every event they could get to, which was most of them. They also regularly attended city council meetings.
In 2014, Volunteer Florida awarded Nancy with the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award for her decades of commitment and service through volunteerism to the community.
The most notable contribution to the city, and the one closest to her heart, was her efforts creating the dog park. Affectionately earning her the nickname “Destin Dog,” Nancy spearheaded the dog park’s fund-raising campaign and led a team of 30 supporters to seek donations, collecting over $38,000. The city matched the community's donations, and the dog park was constructed and opened in January 2012. She continued to lead efforts over the last five years to raise funds for additional improvements to the dog park.
Nancy Weidenhamer embodied everything that is pure and noble in the Destin community. She led by example, never complaining, and was always ready to help in any way she could. Nancy will always be remembered as a wonderful mother, wife, friend, volunteer, and of course, “Destin Dog!”
The new dog park sign is at the corner of Indian Bayou Trail and Commons Drive.