Framingham Assistant Parks Director: City Committee Denied Dog Park Grant

FRAMINGHAM – City of Framingham Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Tom Begin told the Framingham Parks & Recreation Commission Wednesday night, May 12, that the City of Framingham Community Development Committee has denied the grant application for the dog park.

“Stanton grant is till in play,” said Begin to the five Commissioners.

Begin said the project has received donations.

“We are in a good place,” said begin, who said the next phase of design will be presented to FramBark on May 27.

On March 11, the City of Framingham announced it received a $23,426 Stanton Foundation Grant to begin the design development of a dog park in Framingham, which is expected to be located in Farm Pond Park.

[broadstreet zone=”53130″]

Using the grant, the City will procure a firm to create the dog park’s final design and hold a public meeting to review the design and solicit feedback.

The Foundation will review the selected contractor’s proposal and, upon approval, will award up to 90% of construction costs.

The City had hoped to pay for the remainder of the cost will be paid through the Parks Department gift funds for the dog park and a potential Community Development Block Grant, but that was rejected recently.

If all goes to schedule, the final design could be complete by early fall of 2021, said the City of Framingham in a press release.

Shannon Stevens and FramBARK initially started this process in 2015. Stevens has been instrumental in design development, community engagement, and grant preparation, when the process slowed they submitted a petition to Framingham City Council in 2020.

[broadstreet zone=”58610″]

“With the news of this award, myself and all members of FramBARK, both past and present, are excited to see our vision for a dog park within the City moving closer to reality,” said Stevens, Founder and President of FramBARK. “This has been a goal of mine and FramBARK’s since 2015, and we are beyond proud that the Stanton Foundation has provided the City with design funding and project support. We are looking forward to the next steps and ready to continue moving this worthwhile project forward.”

Stevens recently became the fifth members of the Framingham Parks & Recreation Commission.

“With this award, the Division of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with FramBARK, will be in a position to begin final design and ultimately construction of the City’s first dog park,” said James Snyder, Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs, in a press release. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of Shannon Stevens, who has been critical to all facets of this effort. The Division is thrilled to be working with Ms. Stevens and FramBARK to bring a much-needed recreational amenity to the City at little cost to residents. This project helps to further both the Division’s and City’s goals identified within the Open Space and Recreation Plan as well as our long-term capital plan.”

[broadstreet zone=”59946″]