City of Framingham Holding Public Hearing on Proposed Dog Park Wednesday

FRAMINGHAM – The City of Framingham is holding a public hearing on a proposed dog park on Wednesday. October 28 at 7 p.m.

In 2015, the organization FramBark proposed the idea of a dog park, in the then-Town of Framingham. As the Town, and now the City, was slowed to get on board with the proposal, the organization submitted a petition in 2020 to the City Council, to force the city to take action.

Since that petition of signatures, the City has been working on the proposed park idea and even identified 5 potential sites.

Frambark identified the Stanton Foundation grant, which would pay for 90% of the project costs.

The estimated cost for the dog park is $190,000, The City’s liability would be $19,000 under the 90% Stanton grant, said Framingham parks & Recreation Director James Snyder.

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The construction company working at Farm Pond has donated $15,000 gift toward the construction of a dog park, said Snyder.

“We are seeking community input on the location and design of Framingham’s first dog park before any final decisions are made<” said Snyder about the public hearing to SOURCE.

The news media outlet asked a few questions to the Parks & Recreation director. The Q&A is below:    

SOURCE QUESTION: Has the Parks & Recreation department made a list of potential dog park sites?

CITY’S ANSWER: Yes, there are a number of sites that the Department has reviewed in the past and is currently reviewing that would be suited for this type of park. We are also using the report generated by FramBARK that reviews possible sites as well. Our intent is to present these at the October 28^th public meeting for public review/feedback;

SOURCE QUESTION: If yes, are the sites different from the ones discussed at a previous commission meeting?

CITY’S ANSWER: There are additional sites along Dudley Road that are in review and will be presented to the community on the 28

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SOURCE QUESTION: Can you identify what parcels the department is looking at?

CITY’S ANSWER: Temple Street Park, and three locations along Dudley Road/Farm Pond Park. We have also reviewed sites along Harvey Cushing Way, Butterworth Park, facilities not under Parks & Rec jurisdiction, a property along Water Street, and a number of other facilities City-wide that unfortunately did not provide the possibilities that the four previously mentioned properties do;

SOURCE QUESTION: If not parcels are on a list, what are the priorities to identify a parcel? Size ? access? parking/?Etc?

CITY’S ANSWER:

• There are a number of priorities used in selecting a site which include:
  • Proximity to neighbors;
  • Access (vehicular and pedestrian);
  • Capable of providing at least a half-acre park;
  • Water fountain access;
  • Safety for park users (adults and dogs);
  • Future expansion possibilities;
  • Shade;
  • Unique location;
  • Access to trails;
  • Visibility;
  • Parking (onsite and close by);
  • Are there other amenities close by?;
  • Location within the City (easy to get to);
  • And a number of other considerations;

To attend the Dog Park hearing on October 28^th at 7pm use the link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84462045884?pwd=YXNsQ044QTJKTFI1c2NpbE4xRG8xQT09

Meeting ID: 844 6204 5884
Passcode: 447176

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