Fells Dog Owner Group Google Group

Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Trail Planning Workshop

2010-02-10T20:08:48Z

Joel Feingold, Past President of Callahan DOG in Framingham, copied us
on the letter that he sent to Paul Jahnige at DCR this week regarding
the Fells Trail Plan. Joel not only has a wealth of knowledge about
planning an off-leash recreation area from his work at Callahan, but
he also knows the Fells situation very well, having served on a

Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Trail Planning Workshop

2010-02-10T16:43:08Z

I was struck with the same concern where other groups kept saying off-
leash, not necessarily at Sheepfold. The group reporter from our group
a GBNEMBA member and dog owner did not even mention Sheepfold during
his report, (i brought it up multiple times). Instead of being polite
I should have spoken up; which is my fault. I am a avid mountain biker

Re: [FellsDOG] DCR Middlesex Fells Trail Planning Workshop

2010-02-10T13:47:39Z

And thanks to everyone who made time to come to the meeting! It would
be nice to hear here from everyone who attended. What did you think
of the meeting?
One thing that struck me was that, in the reports from the small
groups, it was repeatedly said that people want an off-leash area,
"but it doesn't have to be at sheepfold." Even the person who reported

DCR Middlesex Fells Trail Planning Workshop

2010-02-10T04:34:21Z

Thanks again to the DCR for providing all user groups the opportunity
to contribute to a new Fells Trail Plan at its February 8 workshop!
DCR will hold another public meeting in April, and will announce its
new Trail Plan in May.
This DCR report on the Fells has lots of interesting info about the
park:

DIRECTIONS to DCR Meeting, McGlynn School

2010-02-08T11:47:53Z

Greater Boston NEMBA has this helpful info on their website about how
to get to the McGlynn School in Medford for the Monday February 8
meeting:
Online maps for McGlynn School based on the school's address are not
completely accurate. The school is actually located on the north side
of the Mystic River. The best landmarks are the giant windmill (at the

Re: [FellsDOG] Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-08T00:13:16Z

Dear Scott and Tim,
I'm sorry that you have had bad experiences with irresponsible bikers
and irresponsible dog owners, respectively. I relate, because I, too,
have had bad experiences both with irresponsible bikers and with
irresponsible dog owners.
I don't think that Scott is the kind of person who would let his dog

Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-07T17:47:23Z

I can understand that, trail riding is great when people are
responsible, but then I hate it when I stub my toes and trip on roots
and rocks that have been exposed by mountain bikers riding when the
trails are too muddy for it. Or when trails that have been narrow
footpaths for 20 years become 10 feet wide in a couple summers from

Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-06T16:57:27Z

Thanks very much for that post, Tim. Not an imposition at all, in my
opinion, but a constructive suggestion. We all look forward to
speaking with you and the GB NEMBA folks on Monday night!
David

Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-06T16:28:18Z

Hi All-
We at NEMBA are greatly anticipating this meeting on Monday as you all
are and look forward to seeing you all there.
If I may make a suggestion: We have found over the last 20 years that
infrastructural changes such as trail maintenance, and in some cases
redesign and rerouting etc., are all well and good. However, the issue

Re: [FellsDOG] Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-06T14:59:28Z

Hi Lise,
You make some excellent points as to why our dogs need an open, unfenced area in which to run and play. I agree with you 1,000 % and hope to see you at the meeting!
To: "Fells Dog Owner Group" <fellsdog@googlegroups.com>
Hi Jessica,
I have three dogs and I'm another one in the "no fence, thanks"

Re: [FellsDOG] Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-06T14:34:06Z

One question that any argument for off-leash recreation at Sheepfold
with no fence is going to have to address is how, without a fence, the
Sheepfold can accommodate not only off-leash recreation but also other
recreational activities.
Representatives from the DCR will be interested specifically in a

Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-06T13:55:35Z

Hi Jessica,
I have three dogs and I'm another one in the "no fence, thanks"
camp.
First, fenced-in areas are usually small due to the expense of
fencing. An acre, for instance, is a square 200 feet on a side. In
my Medford neighborhood, that's two and a half lot widths. For the
number of people who want to use the sheepfold, that's laughable: that

An Off-Leash Plan for the Fells by April

2010-02-06T11:05:59Z

[cross-posted from the Somerville Dog Owners Group's announcement List]
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
as early as April. Please come to the public meeting for the
Middlesex Fells Trail Plan, Monday evening, February 8, from 6:30 to

Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-03T19:01:32Z

Those are some interesting thoughts and suggestions, Pat. Creative
thinking like that will be helpful to the dialogue at the DCR
meeting.
One note on the possibility of designating off-leash hours in any
particular area of the Fells. I think that in many communities where
they have found that to be an appropriate measure they have designated

Re: DCR Middlesex Fells Meeting, Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at McGlynn School, Medford

2010-02-03T17:01:31Z

My admittedly limited experience with and knowledge of Boston-area
bureaucracy makes me disbelieve that the DCR would actually allow both
a fenced dog park in the Sheepfold Meadow and reasonable (i.e. through
noon or 1 pm) off-leash hours for dogs to romp through the reserve.
And I think of my dog's needs firsts; especially since, though he is