Three residents from Ward One, three residents from Ward Two, and one resident from Ward Five attended the Board of Aldermen meeting yesterday evening in support of a petition for a park for people and pets at 0 New Washington Street, behind the Holiday Inn in East Somerville.

The Board directed the petition to the Committee on Finance, which is considering a request by the Mayor to declare city-owned property at 0 New Washington Street available for disposition pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, c. 30B, § 16 (file #180747).

Ward One Alderman, William Roche, also submitted a resolution that

this Board requests that the Administration work with Ward 1's elected officials to determine the feasibility of a dog run at the East Somerville Community School yard.

Please contact Alderman Roche and thank him for his continued efforts to create a place in East Somerville where residents may safely and legally exercise their pets off-leash:

William Roche
Ward 1 Alderman
17 MacArthur Street
Somerville MA 02145
Phone: 617-623-6661
E-mail: aldermanroche@comcast.net

UPDATE 13 May 2006: I've spoken with the owner of Ajax and Rocket, who lives on Dell Street, the owners of Granby and Chloe, who live on Pinckney Street, and the owner of Suki, who lives on Pearl Street, all in East Somerville, and no one has any idea where, in the East Somerville Community School yard, there is room for a fenced-in off-leash recreational area. Indeed the Alderman's resolution was a surprise to the residents who have been working for safe and legal options for off-leash recreation for nearly two years.