The Bryan County Bark Park has appointed two new Board Directors, Jeff Barnes and Kristyn Fielding, to bring the number of board members of this local nonprofit organization to ten.

Jeff Barnes has been “going to the dogs” for most of his life. During this time, he has always had dogs of a wide variety of breeds and found each one unique and remarkable. Barnes graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Zoology and is a proud “Bulldog.” He began working for the Wildlife Division of NCR in 1978 and came to Richmond Hill in 1981 to work on the hatchery. In 1994, Barnes worked for the Environmental Protection Division. Barnes retired in 2011 but continues to serve the community through his service with the Red Cross as well as completing volunteer maintenance at the Bark Park, which he has been doing since the park opened. He assists his Plott Hound “Copper” to the Bark Park on a regular basis and he welcomes the input of fellow dog lovers about ways to improve the Park and serve the community.

Kristyn Fielding earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations with a minor in marketing from Georgia Southern University. During her education she completed a summer internship with The Averitt Center for the Arts and volunteered with Main Street Statesboro for their 2015 ‘Staycation’ event as well as with Goodwill Industries as a Job Connection Volunteer. Fielding was also an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and co-host of a weekly radio show for Georgia Southern University’s official radio station, WVGS 91.9 The Buzz. She joined Richmond Hill based Lesley Francis Public Relations in 2016 and brings marketing and event management expertise to the board. Fielding has enjoyed volunteering with the Bark Park since relocating to Costal Georgia and her yellow lab, Cotton, loves visiting the park and participating in the organization’s annual events, especially Howl-o-ween.  

“This is such an exciting time for the Bark Park and we are thrilled to have such a range of talent and individuals on our Board,” said Board President Renee Laurie. “We look forward to working hard to continue to improve and grow the park along with the help of our wonderful community.”