Social Capital

Written By Jack Sommer

Third places like dog parks can help us form ties and cohesion among neighbors. Developing this trust and dependability can foster communities that are more unified, safer, and friendly. It’s also important, however, to ensure that there is equitable access for all neighborhoods to benefit from this foundational support.

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About the EPISODE

Our dogs can help bring us together, despite our differences – as explored in the Common Ground episode of Dog Parkology.

Even while doing something as simple as walking down the street with your canine companion, you might stir up a conversation with a fellow dog parent when your dogs interact.

While these types of meetings can happen anywhere, dog parks provide a particularly effective opportunity to do so.

Third places, coined by Ray Oldenberg in 1989, are defined as “public places that host the regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals.” They are intentionally fluid about when people come, how long they stay, and who is there on any given day.

Plus, there are no membership criteria, as third places are meant to be a social leveler.

“(Dog parks) bring people together in completely new formations and ways that other kinds of environments don’t do,” says Dr. Setha Low, author of Why Public Space Matters. 

Low adds that the types of casual bonds we form there can be categorized as weak ties – which “don't have to be so deep – and yet, at the same time, create a sense of belonging and attachment to a place, to people, and to a community.” 

There is a framework at a third place like a dog park to connect people. This helps build social capital. 

The term of ‘Social Capital’ has been around for decades. Megan Mueller, an Associate Professor of Human-Animal Interaction at Tufts University, describes how it can build cohesion within a community and create valuable social support among neighbors. Having this foundation can create communities that are more unified, safer, and friendly.

For everyone to have a fair chance to benefit from the ways communities can benefit from this, it’s also important to ensure equitable access.

“The vast majority of dog parks are on Chicago's North side, which is vastly whiter and wealthier,” says Anjulie Rao, a writer and critic from Chicago who focuses on the built environment. “They have tax spaces that can support greater infrastructure, and they're often heard in different ways than black and brown communities. The disparities there, I think, are definitely a political decision that is made based on financial means and who, generally speaking, holds the megaphone in these cities.”

For a just society where we can all repeat the benefits of dog parks to the community, we have to be intentional about that distribution and implementation. The use of public space for dog parks is often debated, particularly for those who aren’t dog parents. However, this building of community cohesion benefits everyone – not only those with furry friends. 

One thing to keep in mind in the discussion of public space is that we can be more creative with how we use any given space, such as transforming certain existing areas into dog parks during certain times of day specifically (like is currently done in Central Park during the early morning and late evening hours, for example).

“I don't think that cities take advantage of the people's creativity and desire for togetherness enough,” Rao adds. “Sometimes when city officials see that people are taking infrastructure into their own hands, there might be more of an impetus to address it in a way that's safer, that ensures sanitation, and it might come with a budget as well.”

At a time when we interact less and less with those around us, we need to continue to support and invest in these community initiatives – for everyone. 

FEATURED DOG PARK - DOG MOUNTAIN, VERMONT

Dog Mountain is a unique dog park in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Located on old farm grounds, the park was born from the vision of artist Stephen Huneck, as well as his wife Gwen.

Dog Mountain opened in 2000 and gave local residents a great place to take their dogs off-leash. The 150 acres of Dog Mountain is filled with beautiful nature – such as ponds, fields, and hiking trails. It serves as a daily escape for locals to spend personal time with their dogs.

They also host community events like concerts, dog parties, and other gatherings for neighbors to come together. It’s became a staple in the Vermont town.

People also come from all over to visit the one-of-a-kind Dog Chapel – complete with stained-glass windows – that Huneck designed to pay tribute to our furry friends.

In the episode we speak to Amanda McDermott, longtime Creative Director at Dog Mountain.

About the GUEST EXPERTS

Megan Mueller, Ph.D is a developmental scientist who focuses on the complex and dynamic relationships between people and animals. She is an Associate Professor of Human-Animal interaction, who directs the Pets and Well-Being Lab at Tufts University. The goal of the lab is to translate research into practical applications to improve the lives of diverse children, families, and animals. A key part of Mueller’s research is companion animals and adolescent development, particularly on positive youth development and teenagers experiencing social anxiety. 

Dr. Setha Low is the director of the Public Space Research Group for the Graduate Center at the City University of New York and a Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Anthropology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Women's and Gender Studies. She has authored several books, including Why Public Space Matters (2023).

Amanda McDermott is the Creative Director at Dog Mountain, where she has worn many hats over her two decades of work there. From helping out around the grounds to helping raise revenue, McDermott continues to be an integral part of keeping Dog Mountain alive and going strong for the local St. Johnsbury community in Vermont.

Anjulie Rao is a journalist and critic, based in Chicago, whose work explores the built environment. In particular, she focuses on the intersections between architecture, landscapes, and cultural change in ​​post-industrial cities. She is also a Lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an Adjunct faculty member at the University of Illinois Chicago, and previously taught at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Rao’s bylines include Dwell, The Architectural Review, The New York Review of Architecture, and more.

About the Narrator

Jenna Blum is a New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Woodrow on the Bench. The book focuses on the time that Jenna spent with her ailing black lab in a public park and the community they found. Jenna is based in Boston, teaching at Grub Street Writers, where she has been running master fiction and novel workshops for over 20 years. She is one of Oprah’s Top Thirty Women Writers with her books published in over 20 countries. Her other novels include Those Who Save Us, The Stormchasers, and The Lost Family. You can follow Jenna on Instagram.

About the Company

As It Should Be is a production company and creator behind the Dog Walk Meditation and Dog Save The People podcasts. The company develops original shows for self-release and produces commissioned podcasts for select companies. Content specialties and categories under development include animal advocacy, sustainability, mental health/wellness, and more. The production company also serves as a content studio for SOVRN STATE artist management.

Jack Sommer
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