MLT going to the dogs

#Middlebury #DogPark

Millie and Max are the Middlebury Dog Park representatives. (Illustration © Ross Sullivan Wiley)

By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY

Middlebury is a community with many dog people. While the Greenway and Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) properties are great places to walk dogs, there is no place in town for them to romp around off leash with their canine buddies. With your support, that will soon change!

This month, dog lovers in Middlebury and surrounding towns will have the unique opportunity to support a Middlebury Dog Park by donating to the Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) through this year’s Give Local campaign on April 26 and 27 (tinyurl.com/mu84zj3u). All of the funds raised for the MLT – this year only – are earmarked for the dog park unless the donor specifies otherwise. That will go a long way towards supporting this initiative.

This all began some years ago when Middlebury’s Beverly Dassonville entered a national contest to win a dog park for the town. She was a finalist rather than the winner, but she didn’t abandon her dreams. They evolved into the “Friends of Middlebury Dog Park,” which raised over $4,000. But the group couldn’t find a suitable location within Middlebury, and that wasn’t enough money to build a dog park. When the MLT purchased the Nichols Road-Peck property, and explored developing a dog park in there, all of that changed. Dassonville said she was really excited about it. “It’s a beautiful piece of property, with many trails – and the MLT has the ability to raise and expand the funds,” she said.

To bring this dream to fruition meant the hard work and collaboration of many people including Dassonville, Rocky Vitale of the Naugatuck Dog Park, Marjorie Needham, and several members of the MLT (Scott Peterson, Scott Holmes, and Tom Cunningham) – all of whom added a broad range of expertise and enthusiasm.

Each spoke highly of the others, saying “They’ve been wonderful!” The members visited many other dog parks, gathered lessons learned, interviewed users, worked with the town and the water company, explored fencing and gate options and the latest in dog park design. They surveyed the potential area, developed and then improved the layout and design. The final plan will result in a roughly three-acre dog park that meets the needs of dogs in small and large dog areas, as well as their owners who want to be able to socialize with other dog owners while their dogs play off leash in a safe space.

This dog park will be unique in its emphasis on a nature-centered environment, with an “air lock” section to safely and securely bridge the exterior and interior, and entrances to the large and small dog areas. A shaded area with seating for owners, and a water source for filling dog bowls mean all can be comfortable. With parking to be developed for 10 to 20 cars, it will be nestled in the larger preserve.

The project will cost far more than the initial amount raised by Dassonville. Cunningham said, “The big thing is getting funding for all this.” The goal is at least $10,000 to be used for grading, fencing, gates, building and more. Peterson noted costs have gone up a lot, and the 4-to-5-foot fences are pricey.

The Give Local campaign is the perfect starting point with its opportunities for bonuses and matching money. But the biggest boost will be from an anonymous dog lover who has pledged $5,000 to match donations of $100 or more to the Give Local MLT campaign. If the fundraising is successful and enough volunteers come forward, the dog park is expected to open by September 2022.

To help make this happen, be sure to donate during the April 26 to 27 “Give Local” campaign (tinyurl.com/mu84zj3u)! To volunteer or help in any way contact the MLT at mltoffice06762@gmail.com.

You can contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com; visit the Middlebury Land Trust on Facebook or the website at middleburylandtrust.org. Happy hiking!