Over seventy people attended the first-ever public discussion about options for off-leash recreation in Somerville, Wednesday evening, March 30, 2005, at the Lincoln Park Community School. Support for safe and legal off-leash areas was overwhelming.

The following elected officials attended the meeting:

• Representative Timothy Toomey (Twenty-sixth Middlesex, including ward one [all precincts] and ward two [precincts one and two] of the city of Somerville)
  
• Alderman at Large William White
  
• Ward One Alderman William Roche
  
• Ward Three Alderman Thomas Taylor
  
• Ward Seven Alderman Robert Trane

Alderman at Large Dennis Sullivan arranged for a very supportive letter to be read in absentia.

Alderman Taylor spoke first and addressed the need for additional resources to enforce city ordinances relating to dogs. He reminded everyone present that dog owners have a responsibility to clean up after their dogs. Taylor reassured the community that ?we do not want dog owners to take over;? rather the proposal for designated off-leash recreational areas is a way for the City to help dog owners to be responsible.

Alderman White related his own concerns as a dog owner in a City where there is no place where dogs are allowed off-leash. Five years ago, White said, he called out to Somerville dog owners to help out, both by practicing responsible dog ownership and by volunteering to help the City come up with solutions that address dog owners' needs. He recalled what happened several years ago, when Tufts allowed neighbors to enjoy the University?s fields with their dogs. Because dog owners did not use the fields responsibly, Tufts revoked off-leash privileges.

Carlene Campbell, Community Relations Manager in the Mayor?s Office for Strategic Planning and Community Development, and the City?s liaison to the Dog Owners Task Force, thanked the Mayor and Aldermen William Roche, Dennis Sullivan and Thomas Taylor for convening the Dog Owners Task Force (DOTF).

Campbell led the community discussion by means of a Power Point presentation that summarized the Task Force's proposal and introduced some of the benefits of and concerns about off-leash recreation in general.

The Proposal

In addition to the off-leash recreational area (OLRA) that neighbors have requested be included in the design for the renovation at Perry Park in Ward Two, the Task force is proposing that the City establish fenced-in OLRAs in Bailey Park, Nunziato Field and Prospect Hill Park.

In Bailey Park, which is bordered on the west by Lowell Street and on the east by Belmont Street, the Task Force is proposing fencing-in for off-leash recreation two of the triangular grassy areas on the opposite side of the park from the residential abutters, i.e. the northern-most and eastern-most triangles. Residents observed that Bailey Park will really benefit from a community of regular users--i.e. dog owners--regularly cleaning up in the park. Another benefit is that, if the park saw more active use, perhaps the Department of Public Works would prioritize snow removal and sanding on the paths in the park, which are used by the community as a short-cut between Lowell and Belmont streets.

In Nunziato Field, on Summer Street between Putnam Street and Vinal Avenue, the Task Force proposes fencing in a small area parallel to Putnam Street and including the tree well along Summer Street. A four to five-foot high fence matching the existing fencing would be installed from the Putnam street end of the tree well to the back of the park, and the other end of the tree well would also be fenced-off. In the OLRA the existing mulch will be replaced with a surface treatment such as crushed stone, which will stay in place better and offer better drainage.

A Vinal Avenue resident who does not own a dog voiced his preference for designated OLRAs over having to compete with dog owners for mixed-use space. He requested that the OLRAs have separate access from the street to prevent people from having to walk with their dogs through the other areas of the parks.

A mother of an eighteen-month-old infant, spoke in support of a designated off-leash area at Nunziato. She has found the local dog-owning community to be made up mostly of considerate and respectful neighbors, but she also recounted an unpleasant experience when people refused to leash their dogs and she was unable to bring her baby into the park to enjoy the snow. She agrees that a designated area for off-leash recreation will reduce competition in Nunziato between dog owners and other park users.

Local dog owners emphasized the importance for public safety of two separate entrances to the OLRA . At the same time, neighbors requested that the existing gates at the field be repaired, in particular, the large equipment gates, between which there is a two foot gap, and the Vinal Avenue gate, which does not close securely. Lighting problems at the field were also discussed: in the dark winter months the lights do not come on early enough.

The proposed OLRA for Prospect Hill Park is the grassy area to the far northwest of the monument, an area which is currently frequented by responsible neighborhood dog owners.Because Prospect Hill is an historic site, the Historic Commission will have to be consulted on the design. Fencing will have to be historically accurate: The historical design--a split-rail fence consisting of vertical supports and diagonal cross beams--may be modified as necessary for the needs of off-leash recreation.

Proposed rules for OLRAs in Somerville:

1. Like the parks themselves, the OLRAs will be open from 8:00 am to 10:00 p.m.
2. Aggressive dogs are not allowed.
3. Excessive barking is not allowed.
4. Owners/handlers must have a leash in hand at all times
5. Owners/handlers must be present with their dogs at all times; no unattended dogs.
6. Dogs must be under voice control at all times.
7. Dog owners are responsible for any and all injury or damage caused by their pets (M.G.L. c. l40 s. l36A)
8. Owners/handlers are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.
9. Upon entry and exit, dogs must be on leash.
10. Maximum of three dogs per person at one time in the park.
11. Dogs in heat are not permitted in the park.
12. Dogs must be at least four months old to be allowed in the park.
13. Dogs must wear a collar with identifying tags, current license and rabies tag at all times.
14. Violators are subject to fine and to removal from the park.

The Task Force estimates that each area will cost $7,000 to $10,000 and proposes to approach the City?s Chief Financial Officer about setting up a revolving fund for donations targeted specifically for off-leash recreational areas. This will require an order from the Board of Aldermen.

Alderman Taylor volunteered that, given the demonstration of community support, some funding for OLRAs might be available through the Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development.

Alderman Roche was also impressed by the turn out. He noted that the community meetings like this one are an integral part of the decision-making process with regard to the allotment of public funds to the improvement of open spaces. On behalf of the Task Force Campbell expressed appreciation for the Aldermen?s commitment to the participation of the City in partnership with residents and local businesses for funding for the proposal.

Alderman Trane spoke as dog owner who recognized many people in the room not as constituents but as fellow dog owners who he meets at dog-friendly places like Sheepfold in the Middlesex Fells. He assured the community that we can get this done.

Prior to the construction of the OLRAs, the Task Force proposes that the ?No Dogs Allowed? signs be taken down so that dog owners may at least enjoy the parks with our dogs on leash. Waste management systems (bag dispensers and trash cans) will be installed as soon as possible. Temporary fencing is available making possible the establishment of a pilot off-leash program in Bailey Park and Nunziato Field as early as Summer 2005.

Discussion: Benefits and Concerns

One Somerville dog owner described her experiences at OLRAs in Portland, ME (e.g. Valley Street Park) and Portsmouth, NH: Ninety percent of dog owners, she said, are responsible and clean up after their dogs, and the parks are quite clean and free of dog waste. Ten percent of dog owners are ?jerks? and do not clean up after their dogs, but about forty percent of dog owners clean up after the jerks.

It was observed that a community of dog owners among park users is one of the best things that can happen to a park and to the surrounding neighborhood. Neighborhoods that offer options for off-leash recreation enjoy less barking from dogs fenced-in in neighbors' yards as well as parks that are, in general, cleaner than other parks. Also the presence of dogs along with their owners in parks helps to deter crime.

Residents with experience with OLRAs in other communities described the benefits of double gates. Dogs pass from the street through the first gate, where they are unleashed before entering the park through the second gate. An additional benefit of the "air lock" is that, if a dog escapes the park through an open gate, for example when someone else is entering or leaving, the dog is contained in the ?air lock? cannot escape out into the street.

Another resident described the benefit of having a ?penalty box? within a fenced-in OLRA: if a dog gets too excited, its owner can segregate it from other dogs without leaving the park altogether. Also there can be separate large dog and small dog areas.

A resident suggested that access to OLRAs be controlled by requiring dog owners to purchase and wear a special tag.

Frequenters of parks in Portland and Portsmouth offered additional rules which are in effect at these parks:

1. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
   
2. No Food Allowed

With regard to children, a resident observed that determining an appropriate age at which children should be allowed in OLRAs is almost impossible: Some ten-year-olds are much better with dogs than some fourteen-year-olds.

A dog owner observed that the safety benefits for children of OLRAs can only be realized if unattended children are not permitted in OLRAs.

A Marion Street resident described an event he witnessed last week in Lincoln Park in which a fight broke out between an unleashed dog and a dog that was being walked on leash by a young girl. Even though her parents had given her the responsibility of walking the family dog, the child was unable to handle the situation. Furthermore, the offending dog was not wearing any identifying tags so the owner could not be contacted. The incident occurred on a Sunday afternoon, and, because the Animal Control Officer is not on duty at that time, the witness called the police. The police told the witness that he had to report the incident to Animal Control. It took a second call to the police before an officer was dispatched to the scene. The resident emphasized that he is a dog lover and is willing to make a donation toward OLRAs in Somerville.

With regard to food in OLRAs, it was observed that if there are picnic tables in the park (as in Nunziato) people should be allowed to eat in the park. Rather than prohibiting food in OLRAs, owners of food-aggressive dogs should consider themselves subject to the "No Agressive Dogs Allowed" rule. As an alternative to excessive prohibitions, it was suggested that the posted rules advise people to "be sensible" and enjoy off-leash recreation responsibly.

The question of enforcement was raised, and the benefits of the legitimation of off-leash recreation and posted rules were discussed. Legitimation will empower responsible dog owners to ?police our own? while freeing Animal Control to direct its limited resources to real emergencies.

There was general agreement about the problem of irresponsible dog owners and acknowledgement that OLRAs will not increase these problems; rather, OLRAs will help to reduce the problem of irresponsible dog owners.

Further suggestions for a more "dog friendly" Somerville

A dog owner spoke of what it feels like to be viewed as a ?pariah? in her own community. She is allowed to bring her dog to her workplace in Davis Square, but she is not allowed to walk with her dog on the Rail Trail (Community Path), which is the safest and most convenient route. Several residents spoke up in favor of taking down the "No Dogs Allowed" signs and allowing dogs on leash on the Community Path.

Residents of Ward one inquired about options for off-leash recreation at the Kemp Nut site behind City Hall.