Specific Options for Off-Leash Recreation
Michele Biscoe
I appreciate that there are many different options for off-leash
recreation including, for example,
a) fully fenced-in areas (of any size),
b) designated areas that are clearly posted but not fenced in (you
can't very well fence in a trail!),
c) hours when people may have their dogs off-leash in areas where they
must have their dogs on leash at other times, and
d) parks where people may have their dogs off-leash at the same times
and in the same places with people who are engaged in other
recreational activities.
Ironically, when there are no legal options for off-leash recreation,
you end up with d) people with off-leash dogs at the same times and in
the same places with other people doing other things.
What is needed now is a commitment from the Department of Conservation
and Recreation to safe and legal options for off-leash recreation.
Clearly, there are some people who visit the Fells who are not
comfortable around off-leash dogs, but a policy that ignores everyone
else is neither fair nor practical.
The way we get that commitment from the DCR is by participating in the
public process for the Middlesex Fells Trail Plan, which means coming
to the meeting on Monday evening, Februay 8.
I encourage people who attend the meeting on Monday evening to do two
things:
1) prepare a brief comment for the Q & A and
2) participate actively in the stakeholder workshops session.
During the stakeholder workshops small groups will work together to
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: This will be the 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 that breaking
the law.
See you Monday!
Cheers,
Michele (with Strummer, standard poodle)
Somerville, MA
Cori Couture
I'm not sure if my husband and I will be able to attend the meeting on Monday or not, but I hope those who do attend are able to share and consider each other's opinions in productive ways.
I wonder if there is a way to have a combination of both fenced-in areas (for dogs ruled by their noses who can't be off leash) and areas or hours for other dogs to be off leash with their owners. (There really is no substitute for the exercise a dog gets off leash.) As long as we clean up after our dogs, watch them carefully, and can control them, it seems crazy that walking with a dog in the woods should ever need to be illegal.
Here's hoping we can make it to the meeting on Monday night.
Meanwhile, I'm happy to hear that the DCR is at least taking the time to listen to and interact with all the groups who use the Fells before making new policies.
Cheers,
Cori from Malden
Owner of Willow
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to "FellsDOG" at Google Groups.
--
Where am I going and what am I doing in this handbasket?
DogOwnerWhoVotes
all be represented at the DCR meeting.
On Feb 2, 2:45 pm, chris lyle <cglyl...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Boston Dogs Organization will be representing the interest of dogs at the Fells. A very brief synopsis is we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with many other organizations such as ARL - Boston, MSPCA - Angell, "Dog Town," and are highly in favor of an off-leash policy for dogs that are under control by verbal/signal command by owners and also a place delegated for dogs and owners less secure or trained. Ultimately a dog, 99% of all dogs, can be effectively trained to be responsible off leash. We also have a strong set of legal precedence that we will present. We also have an off shot-up Meetup Group under the same name and will try to send as many members as possible. Our Board of Directors consists of multiple Vets, Lawyers, Dog Advocates, Business People, etc...
>
> I want to thank FellsDog Group for spear heading this but we will be their in support as well.
>
> Christopher Lyle
> Executive Director
> BDO boston-dogs.org
> 617 419 5020 (BDO)
> 617 259 6725 (c)
>
> ________________________________
> From: Cori Couture <coricout...@gmail.com>
> To: fell...@googlegroups.com
> Sent: Tue, February 2, 2010 12:45:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [FellsDOG] Specific Options for Off-Leash Recreation
>
> Very well-stated, Michele. Thanks for your cogent break-down of the issues.
>
> I'm not sure if my husband and I will be able to attend the meeting on Monday or not, but I hope those who do attend are able to share and consider each other's opinions in productive ways.
>
> I wonder if there is a way to have a combination of both fenced-in areas (for dogs ruled by their noses who can't be off leash) and areas or hours for other dogs to be off leash with their owners. (There really is no substitute for the exercise a dog gets off leash.) As long as we clean up after our dogs, watch them carefully, and can control them, it seems crazy that walking with a dog in the woods should ever need to be illegal.
>
> Here's hoping we can make it to the meeting on Monday night.
>
> Meanwhile, I'm happy to hear that the DCR is at least taking the time to listen to and interact with all the groups who use the Fells before making new policies.
>
> Cheers,
> Cori from Malden
> Owner of Willow
>
duke
area and a non fenced area is great. It would be great to have the two
options.
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to "FellsDOG" at Google Groups.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
PGF
hours that include the trails and the Sheepfold as well as creating a
fenced dog park in the Sheepfold, it sounds like too much of a
concession to dog owners. Personally, I would not want to limit my
dog to a small fenced area; and even if they allowed a multiple-area
fenced park in the Sheepfold (which would be more practical than one
acre); it would be very hot in the summer. In the summer, the Fells
trails are cool and refreshing; especially since my dog dislikes
heat.
I also fear that if the DCR actually did create a fenced dog park of
two or three acres or more, they would then send out park rangers to
enforce leash laws on the trails.
Unless the trails are available for off-leash dog walking, at least
half the day, such as until noon or 1 pm; I wouldn't bring my dog to
the Fells at all.
So I'm ambivalent about the meeting. I can sympathize with the owners
of dogs who get lost off-leash; but I don't want them to have a fenced
dog park at the Fells if it will trigger continual leash law
enforcement on the trails. There ought to be some places in
Massachusetts where it is alright for people to take their dogs for an
off-leash walk in the woods, and the Fells is large enough to
encompass the needs of bikers, joggers, nature lovers and dog owners
(and nature-loving dog owners), in my opinion.
One thing that might work against the wishes of dog owners at this
meeting is the practice of many (not all!) dog owners to leave their
dogs' waste in bags all over the Sheepfold or at the beginning of a
trail because (I guess) they don't want to be bothered with carrying
it around or taking it back to the dumpster. I wish there were a
garbage bag at the far end of the Sheepfold where the trails begin,
but there isn't; and leaving those bags on the ground, even if picked
up later, is sloppy and offensive. If dog owners don't want to carry
the bags, what makes them think that non-dog owners (or other dog
owners) want to see them on the ground? I don't particularly enjoy
carrying the bagged waste around through the trails, but one can
always double-bag or triple-bag to make the chore less icky.
Pat & (English Cocker)Rocky
<<<<<<<<<<On Feb 2, 12:45�pm, Cori Couture <coricout...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Very well-stated, Michele. Thanks for your cogent break-down of the issues.
>
> I'm not sure if my husband and I will be able to attend the meeting on
> Monday or not, but I hope those who do attend are able to share and consider
> each other's opinions in productive ways.
>
> I wonder if there is a way to have a combination of both fenced-in areas
> (for dogs ruled by their noses who can't be off leash) and areas or hours
> for other dogs to be off leash with their owners. (There really is no
> substitute for the exercise a dog gets off leash.) As long as we clean up
> after our dogs, watch them carefully, and can control them, it seems crazy
> that walking with a dog in the woods should *ever* need to be illegal.