Sharing Recreational Land with the Dogs

Bikes and Dogs Don’t Mix Well

Vermonters love being outdoors — good weather, bad weather doesn’t matter. People who own dogs in Central Vermont, however, are finding it more challenging to access land where they can have their dogs off-leash, gather with other dog owners, and exercise their dogs. The decision to divide Hubbard Park into on-leash/off-leash areas was a good one, but now there is going to be a mountain bike trail that intersects with the off-leash dog trails. One can only hope that there isn’t a collision.

For a number of years, the country club land has been a place where many dog owners and their canines have gathered to walk together and to exercise themselves and their dogs. Dog walkers have also used this land for their clients’ dogs. The Montpelier Area Mountain Bike Association is now proposing to install “progression tracks” at the course. This would essentially shut off access to off-leash dogs.

We definitely want to share recreation space with others, but this development means that dogs and their owners will have fewer opportunities to recreate, and in terms of Hubbard Park’s Connector Trail, a greater chance of injury to both humans and dogs. MAMBA already has a large area for mountain biking that includes North Branch and East Montpelier trails. We are in touch with MAMBA’s board will be discussion this situation. Please click on the button below, if you’re interested in learning more about this issue.