January 4, 2022 -- Family, friends, and members of the community joined Mountain Brook High School sophomore Grayson Hydinger at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for his Eagle Scout project—a new dog park adjacent to Mountain Brook Elementary athletic fields.

Hydinger started designing his project in November 2019 and throughout these past two years, obtained the assistance of many community leaders in completing his plan. He was aided by over 30 volunteers, ranging from Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch, members of the city’s Parks & Recreation department, Mountain Brook Schools staff, and those at Hydinger’s alma mater, MBE. In all, the project took over 320 hours to complete. MBE is proud that one of their own created the dog park and grateful to Grayson for so meaningfully designing the park where it would benefit the school community.

MBE Principal Ashley McCombs is thrilled to see the project come to fruition, saying, “I am so very proud of his dedication, determination, and diligence throughout each step of this development. He is a top-notch student and an exemplary role model for excellence.”

Now that the project is complete Hydinger welcomes dogs and their owners to the park proclaiming:

“The park is open to all members of the community and their dogs of all sizes, provided they are not aggressive or extremely young and the handlers are capable, of course.”

Hydinger is especially proud of one final addition to the project—adding a connecting pathway from the dog park to the existing nature trail. Now all MBE Lancers and community members may continue to enjoy their walks and runs when they make their visits to the new Jemison Trail Dog Park. See you there!

Submitted by Maggie O’Connor, MBE PTO