Everyone who is interested in open space and the impact of development on the extension of Somerville's Community Path is encouraged to come to a community meeting, Tuesday evening, March 7, at 6:30 at the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Assisted Living Center, 259 Lowell Street (map).

Ward Five Alderman, Sean O'Donovan, has scheduled the meeting so that members of the community may come together to discuss traffic mitigation as well as other neighborhood concerns regarding the proposed Maxpak Site Development.

The Community Path Extension at Warwick Street has potential as a site for a fenced-in off-leash recreational area. A fenced-in area where neighbors can safely and legally allow their dogs off leash will benefit not only dog owners in the community, who presently have no place to take their dogs; it will benefit everyone who enjoys the Community Path:

• A fenced-in off-leash area will enable people to keep their dogs away from other Path users who may be fearful of dogs;
• It will facilitate the enforcement of the City's leash law and allow people to enjoy the Path without interference from unleashed dogs;
• Off-leash Recreational Areas (OLRAs) promote responsible dog ownership:
• Especially when outfitted with "pooper-scooper" stations, OLRAs promote hygienic behavior within the community of dog owners: Both the fenced-in area and the entire Community Path will be cleaner;
• The presence of dogs, along with their owners, in the area will help to deter crime, both in the area itself and in the surrounding neighborhood.

For the safety and enjoyment of all path users, the Community Path Extension should be undertaken with a plan to address the needs of dog owners with an adequate area for off-leash recreation, facilities for waste removal, and signage advising people that they must leash and clean up after their dogs on the Community Path.