It's a good question.

Somerville dog owners have donated over $7,000 so that families can enjoy safe and legal recreation with our dogs without interfering with other users' enjoyment of open space in Somerville. We are committed to open spaces that serve the many and diverse recreational needs of everyone.

The citizens who regularly use the park look forward to getting together to relax and socialize. And our pets benefit from the opportunity to learn how to behave around other dogs and in the community. Off-leash recreation, when enclosed within a fence, is compatible with and complements other desireable uses of municipal open space.

Representatives of the Open Air Circus say that they did not request that the OLRA be closed. What possible reason could the men and women whom we have elected to represent us and our interests have to close the OLRA just because the Open Air Circus is performing on the other side of the fence?

It's a fair question.

Ask them.