Public Works Subcommittee selection of East End Dog Park

[barbara R]

Someone suggested sending the letter around. Others have written, perhaps copied you? The meeting of the Subcommittee is Wed 22 at 5:30 at town hall. Send your letters now, short and sweet works very well, and attend if you can. Thanks, Barbara

Begin forwarded message:

From: Barbara Ruskin <rusk...@icloud.com>

Subject: Public Works Subcommittee selection of East End Dog Park

Date: October 15, 2014 5:39:44 PM EDT

To: Lenk Cecilia <len...@gmail.com>, Corbett Steve <scor...@watertown-ma.gov>, Palomba Tony <councilo...@gmail.com>

Cc: TownC...@watertown-ma.gov

Dear Public Works Subcommittee,
We are writing to urge you to choose the Grove Street entrance to Filipello Park for the East End Dog Park, using the guidelines written by the Watertown Dog Park Task Force more than a year ago. The issues remain the same, so  testimony from members would remain constant. We are grateful for the other off leash dog parks. There is a need for a somewhat larger one in this area with larger numbers of people potentially using it. 15,000 sq ft is an optimal size and possible in this space.
It is accessible and part of a well-used neighborhood park and, most importantly, in the middle of a well-trafficked  area. It would be a fine place to be alone with your dog because of the visibility from the busy street. There are several high rises nearby within walking distance. The Grove Street area neighborhoods even across Mt Auburn are within walking distance. And the neighborhoods on the Arlington Street side of Filipello are within walking distance. New office and residential space is planned for the area as well.
Once the AthenaHealth and Arsenal Properties are developed, those developers can create a dog park at the Arsenal for their tenants. They might be inclined to support the Grove Street park right now, as might Cresset and others.
This space at Grove Street could be shared, and parking for six cars could be carved out from Grove Street for easy access. It is compatible with other recreational family uses of Filipello Park which has ample parking, particularly at off hours. During high use times, the entire family plus dog could park in a single car to use multiple facilities there.
Such a use would be consistent with the Conservation Commission mandate and for low impact, year round use of recreation space. There is plenty of room for gardens and beautification projects outside the fenced area; there might be space for a bocci court and community gardens as well inside the existing fence area. As you know, dog parks increase the likelihood of licensing of dogs and decreasing dog walking on streets with the occasional owner who doesn’t pick up dog waste. Dog parks themselves are well regulated community spaces by both the town and the dog owners. It is a multigenerational and collaborative group.
Mature trees exist on the site, and it is walking distance from a number of local businesses.
For these reasons, and especially because Filipello is welcoming at all hours of the day because it is not isolated and so many can walk to it, we hope that you will accept the recommendation of the DPTF and many others to name the Grove Street entrance to Filipello Park as our third wonderful dog park.
Sincerely,
Barbara and Jeremy Ruskin and Gracie, the Goldendoodle
140 Spring Street