Two weeks ago, a little dog, Barkley, was injured (and later had to be put down) on West Greenway in Waitsfield, just 100 yards from the trail parking and behind the Neck of the Woods preschool. He was attacked by an unleashed dog, whose owners chose to leave the scene and drive away without checking in with Dan Zucker, the owner of Barkley. Not long after, three goats were attacked and ultimately killed by an uncontrolled dog on town property near Wu Ledges and the Austin parcel.
Most dog walkers leash their dogs or have them under verbal control. Most dogs are well-behaved and are a pleasure to meet on the trail. Most people pick up after their dogs. I say this with confidence, because that is what I observe daily during trail maintenance and on field trips with the MRP adventure students. Dog etiquette on trails mirrors general conduct in society. Most people obey the speed limit, heed pedestrians and bicyclists, don’t litter, and are friendly. What do we do about the few who aren’t, and how do we respond, rather than react?
Let’s start with what we have already done. Every trailhead in the valley has a well-designed and illustrated dog owner etiquette informational sign. Very recently, Waitsfield has instituted a leash law. We will change the signs accordingly in time for the 2027 season.
The Mad River Path website has a Dogs on the Path section, as do the Chamber of Commerce and the Rec District. Clearly, the information and signage alone are not enough.
Here is something we can try. I started this article with common examples of civil behavior. Have you noticed the difference between not littering and picking up after others? Between saying “hi” in passing and engaging with another person? Between obeying traffic laws and letting others get ahead of you, or make a turn out of their driveway? In other words, a difference between being focused on yourself, while following the rules, and living so that every moment is an opportunity for an encounter? Let’s apply this to trails: engage with each other, telling the unleashed dog walkers the story of Barkley, looking them in the eye with a smile… Not a dog police, but an engaged and caring community.
There is yet another thing we are going to try: designating certain trails to be off-leash. When you ask someone to give something up (to keep their dog on the leash), it is nice to give them something in return (allow them to have their dog off leash in a designated place).
And a final thought: We used to have dogs for farming, hunting, and pulling sleds. Today, the main reason is the unconditional love, kindness, and acceptance they have for us. These are in short supply. Perhaps there is something we can learn about relating to one another by observing the dogs.
A Walk on the Wild Side
We had a great rainy week of Wild Things camp. Our snug camp on Stetson Brook held remarkably well in the weather, and students gathered dry firewood, even in the pouring rain! On Tuesday we climbed at Bolton Dome just before the weather closed in. Over the course of the week, we made wooden spoons, gathered wild mushrooms, squeezed through tight pinches in a mysterious cave, hiked Sunset Ledge, jumped off several sets of cliffs into cold water, and picked 45 pounds of blueberries for the senior center! Students were supportive of each other, respectful to nature, and did not mind being wet all the time a bit! Thank you, parents, for raising such capable kids!
The last program of the 2026 summer is a family camp, leaving for the Noire River in Quebec on August 23. Are you looking for an unforgettable adventure to end your summer? We invite you to join us for a week of canoeing, fishing, and wild blueberry gathering! We have room for one more family, and financial aid is available. Contact Misha for more info.
Recreational Trail Use Survey
This summer and fall, Mad River Path is conducting a recreational economic study through trail counters at five key locations as well as a trail use survey. The data from this study will help us to secure federal, state, and local funding for the completion of the Mad River Path. Please help this important community initiative by taking 3-5 minutes of your time to complete the survey!
CLICK HERE to take the survey if your primary residence is in the Mad River Valley.
CLICK HERE to take the survey if you are a visitor, non-resident, or second home/vacation home owner or renter.
Thank you!
