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Dog Parks assessment-WF-AMM2-20-2019 TO: Mayor David J. Narkewicz FROM: Ann-Marie Moggio, Parks & Recreation Director Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning & Sustainability RE: Dog Park DATE: February 20, 2019 You requested an update on our planning for a future dog park. Northampton Open Space, Recreation and Multi-Use Plan (2018-2025) The plan was adopted last year after extensive public input, public forums, over a dozen public meetings, and adoption or endorsement by eight different city boards, including City Council. The plan includes: “Explore future dog park and playground needs. Both a dog park and playground represent partially unmet needs for the city.” This reflects that there is a need for a dog park and makes it a project for Planning & Sustainability and for Parks & Recreation, but it also reflects that the public and committee process identified other higher priorities. Past planning efforts for a dog park 1. In 2011, we did a survey of 234 self-selected (i.e., non-random) respondents, 229 of whom were from Northampton and 62% owned dogs, and did a resulting Dog Park Assessment. We concluded: a. There is an interest in a dog park but that interest may be limited b. To reach the criitical mass needed it needs to be located near population centers. c. Given the resource needs, operational costs would need to be donated. d. Any next steps require a new user group to partner with the city and do the leg work 2. In 2015, we received a proposal from a local design firm for a site selection study for potential sites as well as evaluation of each. The cost was approximately $8,000. 3. Since then, Parks & Recreation researched and identified the necessary funds for capital costs (Foundation and CPA) and concluded operational aspects as one of the biggest challenges. Operational costs would be realized by the DPW Forestry, Parks, and Cemetery Division. 4. Parks & Recreation surveyed other dog parks in the area and concluded that a Northampton dog park would be the urban-style dog park with two relatively small enclosures, one for small dogs and one for large dogs, and could not be a land extensive area. 5. Parks & Recreation and Planning & Sustainability brainstormed and identified possible sites: a. Sheldon Field- unused grass section, easy parking during the day (not so much in the evening during sports seasons). This is also a park slated for large renovation improvements in the future, so any major changes would be a part of that. b. Veterans’ Field- close to downtown with parking, but very limited space, wet areas at various times of the year, and might need to acquire some of the woodland on the southeast side of the field. c. Ellerbrook Field- not enough space unless some could be on state hospital agriculture lands, which requires state approval, or on the steeper slope to Route 66. Effect of Waggin’ Tails Dog Park A private dog park, Waggin’ Trails Dog Park, is currently being developed on Glendale Road. This dog park would be a large area, enclosed by a fence, with a dog cleaning area and dog dropping pickup. It would serve a different niche than an urban public dog park, but it might help draw dogs away from other public land where they are causing some user conflicts (e.g., State Hospital Agriculture Land and Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway). There remains public interest in a public dog park. Almost all of the comments we have received in the last year in favor of a dog park, however, have focused on users who want to reduce the pressure of dog users at the State Hospital Agriculture Lands and at Broad Brook- Fitzgerald Lake Greenway, not from dog owners looking for an urban dog park. Waggin’ Trails, providing opportunities for long walks, may be more effective at reducing user and resource conflicts than an urban dog park. Current City Planning Steps Exploring the development of a public dog park remains on our program: 1. A public dog park, however, not as high a priority as other open space and park renovation objectives. 2. We want to identify Waggin’ Tails effects before we move forward. 3. As in 2011, we want a groundswell of potential dog park users to come forward and organize to address maintenance and operation, not just those who want to divert dog walkers from other locations but would not be involved in the stewardship. 4. As we acquire new open space and rehabilitate existing recreation areas, a future dog park is a lens that we look at. Absent other actions, the city is likely to develop a dog part as part of the development or rehabilitation of a recreation area instead of as a stand alone project.