Six members of the Somerville Dog Owners Group attended the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen, Thursday evening, July 14, and were delighted by the unanimous, 10-0, vote approving legislation giving the Commissioner authority, under an amendment to the Municipal Ordinances, section 12-51, Dogs in Parks and Playgrounds," to designate off-leash recreational areas. Special thanks to Alderman Taylor (Ward 3) for a motion to suspend the rules to accommodate the citizens interested in the issue of off-leash recreation who attended the meeting and to the whole Board for voting unanimously to suspend the rules: The Report from the Committee on Legislative Matters, which included the legislation for off-leash recreational areas, was item #74 on the agenda, but because they suspended the rules, the Board hear the Report and vote on the amendment much earlier in the evening (around item #10).

Update 23 July 2005: Section 12-51 now reads (amended text is in italics):

Sec. 12-51. Dogs in parks and playgrounds.

1. When the commissioner of public works, in his or her discretion, shall determine that any park, playground, schoolyard, or other public area in the control of the city is inappropriate for the allowance of entry by dogs, due to usage by small children, or landscaping considerations, or any other reason sufficient to him or her, he or she shall cause such place to be posted with appropriate and sufficient signs reading, "No Dogs Allowed." No person shall permit, suffer or allow any dog owned by him or her, or in his or her custody or control, whether restrained or unrestrained, to enter upon any park, playground, schoolyard, or other public area in the control of the city so posted as aforesaid.
2. For purposes of sections 3-35 and 3-36, any violation of this section shall be treated by the dog officer as a violation of section 3-34.
3. The Commissioner of Public Works may, in his or her discretion, designate specific off-leash areas for use by dogs to run loose, and shall promulgate regulations for the use thereof. Such areas shall be properly enclosed to such specifications as the Commissioner may determine. Such designated off-leash recreational areas, dog parks or dog runs shall be utilized exclusively for the use of dogs off leash. No dog under any order of restraint or muzzling in accordance with Section 3.32, and no dog identified in accordance with Section 3.33, shall be permitted to utilize such designated off-leash area. The Commissioner shall make and post these regulations at every entry to such designated off-leash areas. The Commissioner may, at his or her discretion, make additional rules and regulations, which shall be posted in a like manner. Any designation of off-leash areas, or any rules and regulations enacted by the Commissioner hereunder shall become effective within 45 days of the meeting of their submission to the Board of Aldermen, unless the Board of Aldermen orders otherwise.

(Ord. No. 1975-12, ?? 1, 2, 2-26-76)