We at CDOG want to keep Cambridge dog owners "in the loop" regarding developments that may affect them. Here's a summary of the proposed Medallion Program and where it stands:

The Medallion Program is a method by which Rangers at Fresh Pond will be better able to enforce the existing regulation which states that only Cambridge residents may have their dogs off leash. The ordinance has been in place for many years (it's actually stated on all signage there- look on the signs above the "mutt mitts" dispensers) but hasn't been enforced, generally speaking.

The Medallion Committee consists of 2 members of the Fresh Pond Advisory Board, 2 City Employees, and 2 Cambridge resident dog owners (and members of CDOG) who visit Fresh Pond regularly. The Committee has met monthly over the summer and will continue to do so until the program is completely outlined, as well as to assess its success. As of now, the Medallion Program will be a one-year trial program, and medallions will be given out to Cambridge residents with licensed dogs, free of charge, starting in the Spring of 2007. Rules are still being discussed, as is the exact design of the medallion, etc.

The plan is to issue plastic Medallions to Cambridge residents' dogs so that they are more easily recognized by Rangers. Medallions will be distributed by Rangers and numbers will match Cambridge Dog License numbers (residents will need to obtain current dog licenses first- note that residents will need to have a Cambridge dog license on each of their dogs for them to be off leash in any legal off-leash parks in the City). With the medallions, there will be some accompanying educational information (not yet determined) about both the ecology of Fresh Pond and our watershed and about responsible dog ownership. Dogs will need to wear their medallions at all times when off leash at Fresh Pond. Medallions won't be huge, so that they will work for small dogs as well as large ones. Still to be determined are rules regarding enforcement.

If you have comments or questions about the Fresh Pond Medallion Program, post them here or email them to info@cambridgedog.org. Please note that this program is still in relatively early stages of development, so not all details have been determined.