Town of Dillon Showcases Renovated Park and Doghouses

News NewsSponsored | Aug 26, 2023

With its renovated town park and current dog houses available for auction, Dillon has gone to the dogs — but in the most delightful way possible.

After last year’s break from its annual Playhouse Project, which has raised money for various local nonprofits, the auction returns this summer with a fresh spin: dog houses. The public art exhibit takes place through Aug. 27 and features innovate canine cabins, from A-frames to campers.

“Contractors got really creative with the concept,” said Town of Dillon’s marketing and communications manager Suzanne Phillipson.

Dillon’s renovated park

The dog houses sit within the town’s renovated park — which is also worth boasting about, with its new play equipment, extensive multiuse fields and Astroturf, as well as three separate climbing areas and bouldering wall.

Just before the pandemic, the town approved the upgrades and began with irrigation, bathroom and parking projects during COVID-19 shutdowns. In June, they completed the project.

“Through a grant from Great Outdoors Colorado, we were able to purchase play equipment that enabled us to elevate what we had already planned and really make it top notch,” Phillipson said.

In addition to playing fields, picnic tables and playground equipment, the park hosts weekly drop-in cornhole games every Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. and field lawn games like bocce ball, volleyball and soccer — equipment and music included — every Thursday from 5-7 p.m.

K9 Cabins

While families and kids have thoroughly enjoyed picnicking and playing in the park, dogs are lappin’ it up, as well — especially since the dog houses, which, by the way, make great sets to pose with your pooch — have debuted.

Seven houses range from A-frames and modern houses to travel-inspired themes.

• PCL Construction portrays a traditional A-frame with mountains as an architectural feature in the back through “Kindred,” sponsored by Alpine Bank.

• Sponsored by BGV Gives, MW Golden Constructors built “Malmo,” inspired by a modern Scandinavian farmhouse, complete with a solar vent and lighting, cedar paneling, a glass front, a composite deck and a covered patio for Fido to stay cool.

• New West’s insulated “Pup Pad,” sponsored by the Town of Frisco, showcases a small receiving deck, front window, clear flap door and interior wood finishes. The mostly metal-clad exterior makes it easy to maintain all year long.

• RA Nelson designed a modern, mountain-chic “RA Dawg Haus” with Scandinavian vibes through its wood-frame construction, cedar accents and tongue-in-groove siding, sponsored by A & A Pet Supply and Feed.

Three of the K9 Cabins take different approaches to traveling with our best friends.

• Iron Forest Building Company’s “Roverlander,” sponsored by Grease Monkey and Summit Automotive Group, depicts a black camper van with a ramp leading inside to dog bowls and an elevated bed and a pooper scooper hanging off the back end. Groovy details include skis atop the van, with, of course, four boots for our favorite four-leggeds.

• Summit School District built the quintessential doggie school bus with support from The Summit Foundation. The lightweight “Dog Bus,” designed with portability in mind, sports windows, wheels and bus lights in the back.

• Last but not least, Craig Colodny, Linda Matsui and Doug and Betsy Tomlinson present “Woof Wag-On,” the cutest retro camper doghouse you’ll ever find. The blue and white rounded, 1950’s-themed camper features a front yard with a white-picket fence, flower bed, cobblestone walkway, artificial grass, small fire hydrant and mailbox for special treat delivery. It’s no surprise that set design experts Theatre SilCo sponsored this one.

The online auction ends Aug. 27. Ski Country Auto Repair & Towing provides free delivery within Summit County for winning bidders.

Funds benefit Summit Lost Pet Rescue, which educates people about lost pet prevention and helps reunite lost pets with their owners within Summit County.

“Each year, an increasing number of pets in our area are lost. Our team provides step-by-step instructions, support, skills, boots on the ground, knowledge of lost pet behaviors, rescue equipment and search protocol techniques as no charge,” according to the nonprofit’s website.

If you go…

What: K9 Cabins art exhibit and auction

When: Now through Aug. 27

Where: Town Park in Dillon

Proceeds benefit: Summit Lost Pet Rescue

More info: playhouseprojects.org

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