UPDATE February 3: Materials from the initial public meeting on January 31 are now available, including the DCR's presentation slides and a summary of public comments.

Monday evening, January 31, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) convened the initial public meeting for the Fells Resource Management Plan (RMP) at the McGlynn School Cafeteria in Medford. The dates, locations, and topics of future RMP meetings are at the end of this post.

Approximately one hundred people attended this meeting, including representatives from the Fells Dog Owner Group (FellsDOG), the Somerville Dog Owners Group (som|dog), and the Callahan Dog Owners Association (CalDOG). Also in attendance was State Senator Patricia Jehlen who represents the Second Middlesex district (Medford; Somerville, ward 1, precincts 2 and 3, ward 2, precincts 2 and 3, and wards 3 to 7, inclusive; Woburn, ward 2; and Winchester).

A good third of the people who spoke were in direct support of being able to use the trails of the Middlesex Fells Reservation with off-leash dogs. Dog owners, through FellsDOG, also submitted a petition with signatures of 545 Massachusetts residents in support of legal options for off-leash recreation at the Fells.

Several people also spoke in support of expanding legal options for mountain biking in the Fells.

A common refrain among commenters was, "if it's not broken, don't fix it": Many people feel that their recreational needs are adequately addressed at the Fells and that additional rules and regulations are not needed.

However, others, in particular representatives of the Friends of the Fells, pointed out that currently there are conflicts over use because, they said, of a lack of enforcement of current regulations. One even suggested that the DCR "needs to bring the hammer down”.

The overall tenor of comments by people who enjoy using the Fells every day, however, was that better enforcement of rules that do not accommodate the needs of responsible users will not reduce conflict.

Public comments at the Fells RMP meeting on Monday evening were moderated by professional facilitators from the MA Office for Public Collaboration (MOPC). They did a good job.

The initial comment period extends through March 30, 2011. Comments may be e-mailed to MOPC, MiddlesexFellsRMP - at - umb.edu, or mailed to

Middlesex Fells RMP Comments
c/o MA Office of Public Collaboration
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd., M-1-627
Boston, MA 02125

Dog owners are also encouraged to participate in the public workshops that the DCR is hosting on various issues that will be considered in the RMP for the Fells. The complete schedule of upcoming RMP workshops and additional details are available from the DCR

Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 6:30pm: "Flora and Fauna"
Botume House, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham

Thursday, February 17, 2011, 6:30pm "Wetlands and Water Resources"
Botume House, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham

Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 6:30pm: "Cultural Resources"
Location TBA

Wednesday, March 2 , 2011, 6:30pm "Recreation"
McGlynn School Cafeteria, 3002 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford

Wednesday, March 16 , 2011, 6:30pm: "Education and Interpretation"
Location TBA

Wednesday, March 23 , 2011, 6:30pm: "Enforcement"
Location TBA