Montpelier Divided Over Dog Leash Debate in Hubbard Park

A close election for parks commissioner highlights the ongoing tensions over leash rules in the popular recreation area.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The city of Montpelier, Vermont has been embroiled in a contentious debate over dog leash regulations in Hubbard Park for years. The issue came to a head in a recent election for a parks commissioner seat, which was decided by just 41 votes. Candidate Rebecca Copans, who campaigned on relaxing the leash rules, edged out challenger Mattison Brady. The debate has fractured the community, with some park users preferring the current leash-optional and leash-required zones, while others argue the policy doesn't go far enough. Despite an extensive public process that led to the current regulations in 2024, the issue remains unresolved, with the parks commission scheduled to revisit the guidelines this fall.

Why it matters

The dog leash debate in Montpelier's Hubbard Park highlights the challenges municipalities face in balancing the needs and preferences of different park user groups. The issue has become a divisive political topic, with the recent parks commissioner election serving as a referendum on the leash rules. The ongoing tensions illustrate how even hyperlocal decisions about shared public spaces can deeply impact a community.

The details

In 2024, the Montpelier Parks Commission implemented a policy that allows dogs to roam off-leash in the northern 150-acre section of Hubbard Park, while requiring leashes in the other 100 acres closer to the city center. This compromise was intended to provide equitable access, but a 2025 survey showed the community remained split on the regulations. Candidate Rebecca Copans, who won the parks commissioner seat, has advocated for a "softer stance" that would allow off-leash walking in the core of the park during certain times. The parks director expects only minor "tweaks" to the guidelines following the upcoming review, not wholesale changes.

  • In 2024, the Montpelier Parks Commission implemented the current leash policy for Hubbard Park.
  • In 2025, the parks department conducted a survey that showed the community remained divided on the leash regulations.
  • On March 5, 2026, Rebecca Copans was elected as a parks commissioner, edging out challenger Mattison Brady by 41 votes.
  • In October 2026, the Montpelier Parks Commission is scheduled to revisit the leash guidelines for Hubbard Park.

The players

Rebecca Copans

The newly elected Montpelier parks commissioner who campaigned on relaxing the dog leash regulations in Hubbard Park.

Mattison Brady

The parks commissioner candidate who argued the current leash policy had reached a good compromise, and was open to monitoring and making changes as needed.

Alec Ellsworth

The trees and parks director for the city of Montpelier, who said the current leash policy represented a compromise from both sides of the debate.

Mary Hooper

The former mayor of Montpelier who stopped going to Hubbard Park after her dogs were attacked, only returning after leash rules were instated.

Nancy Munno

A longtime Montpelier resident who regularly walks her dog off-leash in Hubbard Park and believes the current policy is a "perfect compromise."

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What they’re saying

“Dog issues in Montpelier are like the third rail of politics.”

— Mary Hooper, Former Montpelier Mayor (vtdigger.org)

“A lot of people are saying, 'Oh, we're not going to waste energy going back to this conversation.' But for dog people, it's actually really important. Many of us just feel that dogs and their people were kind of left behind.”

— Rebecca Agone, Hubbard Park user (vtdigger.org)

“The park should be for everybody.”

— Nancy Munno (vtdigger.org)

“Clearly, the town is divided on the issue, and that has not changed over the past 10 years.”

— Rebecca Copans, Newly elected Montpelier parks commissioner (vtdigger.org)

“I just hope it doesn't become this huge contentious issue again. How many times do you need to relitigate dog leashes in Hubbard Park?”

— Nancy Munno (vtdigger.org)

What’s next

The Montpelier Parks Commission is scheduled to revisit the leash guidelines for Hubbard Park in October 2026, where they may consider "tweaks" to the current policy based on public feedback.

The takeaway

The ongoing debate over dog leash rules in Montpelier's Hubbard Park highlights the challenges municipalities face in balancing the needs of different park user groups. Even hyperlocal decisions about shared public spaces can become deeply divisive political issues, as evidenced by the razor-thin margin in the recent parks commissioner election.