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One of our favorite examples of a special destination is Dog Mountain, located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. This 150+ acres of Dog Mountain is filled with beautiful nature – such as ponds, fields, and hiking trails. This allows local residents to have a daily escape, where they can spend personal time with their dogs surrounded by the beauty of nature. Artist Stephen Huneck, along with his wife Gwen, saw a vision for the grounds—previously home to a farm — as an opportunity to create a special kind of public space. This large unfenced, dog destination opened in 2000, offering off-leash play that had not been allowed in the town. Even those without dogs can enjoy the space, too. Dog Mountain hosts community events such as concerts, dog parties, and other. Everyone in the area comes together and it becomes a beautiful social destination to share with your neighbors. The grounds also include a one-of-a-kind Dog Chapel – complete with stained-glass windows – which Huneck designed to pay tribute to our furry friends. Whether you are remembering a past dog, or appreciating your current one, this allows people to have a spiritual connection and moment in the chapel. Dog Mountain sets the tone for the possibilities of a dog-friendly destination. We think it is a shining example of how dog parks can evolve, be re-imagined, and bring the entire local community closer together. In the Social Capital episode of Dog Parkology, we spoke with Dog Mountain’s Creative Director, Amanda McDermott, who has worked there for two decades. We also made a Dog Destination page on our website with more photos and information. Dog Mountain is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so please consider donating today. You can also buy art and merch with art from the late Stephen Huneck to support their terrific work.
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