We met our goal of getting ten Somerville dog owners to write letters to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in support of off-leash recreation at Sheepfold and on the trails of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Now we need people who enjoy visiting Sheepfold and the Middlesex Fells to come to a Trail Planning Workshop on Monday, February 8, and ensure that safe and legal options for off-leash recreation are included in the Middlesex Fells Trail Plan.

The public meeting will be held on Monday evening, February 8, from 6:30 to 8:00 at the McGlynn School Auditorium, 3001 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford.

Everyone who would like to enjoy the benefits of socializing and exercising their dogs off-leash in the Middlesex Fells is encouraged

1. to prepare a brief (30 second) statement for the question and answer (Q&A) session and


2. to plan to participate actively in the stakeholder workshops session.

The workshops, in particular, will be your opportunity to hear what is important to other Fells users (who may or may not be dog owners) and to tell other Fells users and representatives of the DCR what is important to you as a dog owner: options other than breaking the law.

Following is the DCR's proposed agenda for the meeting:

• Overview of Trails Planning Process
• Brief Overview of Fells Trail Conditions and Issues
• Q&A (time limited)
• Stakeholder Workshop: Attendees will participate in small group discussions during which they will review maps of the trail system and add their input as to access points, desired routes, potential connections, trail issues and problems, and potential solutions. Their input will be reported out to the group-at-large.
• Next Steps

By April we could have a plan that includes safe and legal options for off-leash recreation at Sheepfold and on the trails of the Middlsex Fells, but we need your help. Please come to the meeting on Monday!