The John Lackard Blues Band plays under the pavilion at Elizabeth’s Park on Saturday as part of the dog park opening.
PHOTO BY WOODY LAIDLAW

BRADFORD–Clear skies, wagging tails and happy smiles abounded on Sept. 24 at the new Dog Park in Elizabeth’s Park. Residents from Orfordville to Ryegate gathered that day to check out the new installation.

The 18,000-square-foot park officially opened and drew almost 100 folks, and almost as many dogs, to celebrate the latest public space in town.

The park evolved from plans last year between town officials and the Vermont Council on Rural Development. As part of a series of forums hosted by the council, community members identified a new dog park as a popular project for the town to pursue.

Bradford resident Angela Colbeth and her Weimaraner mix Pearl enjoyed the festivities at Elizabeth’s Park on Sept. 24.

The $15,000 park is split in two, with one section for larger dogs and one section for smaller ones. Fairlee resident Brenda Ricker was enthusiastic about the design.

“I like the fact they split the small dogs from the larger ones,” said Ricker, whose companion Chloe, a mini-poodle, was staying close to avoid the other dogs that towered over her.

Bradford Recreation Director Mary Dan Pomeroy directed specific praise toward the design of the park entrance.

“A lot of thought went into safety ... There are two gates and the one into the park won’t open until the one behind it is closed,” she said as her Landseer Newfoundland Tooley struggled to stand still amid the commotion. “That way there won’t be any trouble in case your dog tries to make a run for it.”

Due to poor weather and an entirely volunteer workforce, construction is not finished yet at the park. Fences still need to go up, and the work should be done by next weekend, officials said.

“But that’s no reason not to have a party,” exclaimed Bradford Parks and Recreation Board member Jean Carlan. And a party they had.

Local vendors served up kombucha, baked goods and soul food to attendees, as the John Lackard Blues Band jammed out underneath the pavilion. Volunteers from local teen center The Hub offered face painting for the young children running around.

Bradford resident Jennifer Paul had come out that day with her chocolate lab mutt Snider. Paul fosters around four dogs a year for Pibbles and More Animal Rescue out of Burlington, and she’s glad “we finally have a park nearby for the fosters.” Snider might have been the mellowest dog at the event.

The project was paid for completely through donations from the community, which town Parks and Recreation Board Chair Mike Wright thinks will end up being important.

“If we raised tax money, then the people won’t have the same incentives to respect and cherish the place than when we used their hard-earned money,” he said. “I’m proud that I was able to get this project passed by the selectboard … We’re trying to attract younger people to town.”

Wright, Corinth residents Brian and Christiane Carroll, and a handful of volunteers donated their time and have performed the lion’s share of construction work at the park.

One Bradford resident, Matt Strong, raised more than $1,000 through a concert series he ran once a week on Sundays from February through May. Hosted at his business, East Coast Van Builds on the Lower Plain, the series gave residents a chance to donate “what they felt like they could.”

Opening the dog park is one of many improvements made at Elizabeth’s Park in recent years, such as the pavilion, and town officials say they are always looking for input from the community on future projects. Carlan, one of the board members, mentioned a newly established subcommittee to upgrade the park’s playground.

“Some parts of the playground are old, and splinters are becoming a risk,” Carlan said. “There are some additions we can make to improve accessibility.”

TOP FUN–Maverick came down with his brother Hank and owner Josh from South Ryegate for some fun in the sun at Elizabeth’s Park.
PHOTO BY WOODY LAIDLAW

The opening of the dog park comes as exciting news for a community that has seen a jump in pet ownership over the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2020 and 2021, the town saw a 28% increase in dog registrations, from 286 to 366.

Parks and rec committee member Jared Pendak and wife Kerry are among the new pet owners. They adopted their first dog, a lab and pitbull mix named Jenna, from a rescue in South Carolina over the pandemic.

“This is just perfect for her,” Pendak said. “We’re thrilled.”

The increase in new dogs in Bradford has impacted more than park use. Local veterinarian Susan Tullar said she’s booked eight weeks out and has had to hire a new vet at her office. Her dogs John, a mixed breed, and Poppy, a Bernese mountain dog, were popular with the kids in attendance.