From John Nardone at the DPW:

FORT WASHINGTON PARK CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS

Fort Washington Park at 95 Waverly Street in Cambridge is listed both on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The property is also locally designated in the Fort Washington Historic District. The park commemorates and preserves an earthwork that was erected in the fall of 1775 as a defense against the British occupying Boston. It is the only surviving Revolutionary War fortification from the siege. The fort was given to the City in 1858, and the monumental cast-iron fence was constructed at that time to enclose the area. Several years ago the park was given a temporary permit which allowed it to be used as an off-leash dog run. Due to the amount of use, compaction of the soil, and lack of irrigation most areas of the park have begun to erode. On Wednesday May 14th, the park will be closed for renovation. There is a planned archeological dig followed by the installation of an automatic irrigation system as well as soil amendments and reseeding. To allow the turf to full establish, the park will be closed for several months. For those looking for an off-leash area close by, please be aware that early last year a new off-leash area was established on Tudor street at the far end of Pacific street park.

The proposal for off-leash hours at local parks was covered by the Cambridge Chronicle on May 8. Read the article here.

The City of Cambridge Public Facilities Committee is hosting public meetings to discuss possible establishment of shared use* hours for off-leash dogs at certain locations in Cambridge

The first meeting, at Gold Star Mother's Park (Gore Street) already occurred on March 13 and went well.

See this article in the Boston Globe. Interestingly, the objection stated here seems to be more related to dog urine than to owners who don't pick up (although rest assured that that issue is mentioned, as well).

Here's a letter that CDOG member Jane Beal wrote to the City Council and the Cambridge Chronicle (see an abridged version of the letter in the Cambridge Chronicle). It communicates quite eloquently what we at CDOG stand for. Thanks, Jane!

According to an August 3 article in the Watertown Tab, Watertown, along with the DCR, is planning a $3 million renovation of a one-mile stretch along the Charles (from Watertown Square to the Watertown Yacht Club). One of the specified goals for the area is to "encourage dog walkers to use the park". Work may start as soon as next Spring. Here's the full list of goals for the path:

While this article contains several inaccuracies, it's important reading. The inaccuracies are corrected in this letter to the Globe, published July 15.

See the article on the Chronicle website.

See the front page of the City/Region section, or read the article and see the photo on The Globe's website. Check out the comments section, too.

Let's try this one again, this time without the rain!!! But just in case, this time we have a rain date: June 17.
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Come to the grand opening of Cambridge's newest dedicated dog run! Representatives of the City will speak, and your favorite doggie stores and services will have tables, information and giveaways, including Laundromutt, Jeana's Dirty Dog, Raining Cats & Dogs, Crate Escape, Grey2K, Fresh Pond Animal Hosital, New England Veterinary Associates, Animal Rescue League of Boston, and the Cambridge Animal Commission. There will be refreshments for human and canine alike.

Here are the official notes from the April 9 City Council meeting regarding proposed changes to the Animal Control ordinance.

From City Councilor Craig Kelley.

Folks:

I took close to 8 pages of notes from the 26 April Ordinance committee. I'd be happy to copy them and mail them to anyone who thinks they can read my writing, but for those who don't want to take that route, here is a rough summary of what happened.

The following notes were taken by Catherine Fabio of CDOG at the April 26 Ordinance Committee meeting.

ORDINANCE MEETING OF APRIL 26, 2007

Regarding:
Off–leash regulations for Fresh Pond and the City of Cambridge

See coverage of last week's Ordinance Committee meeting regarding proposed changes to the Animal Control ordinance on the Chronicle w

The Cambridge Chronicle reported on Monday's City Council meeting, beginning their article with the statement:

"The city’s water board overstepped its authority when it started enforcing new leash laws for dogs at Fresh Pond without City Council approval, according to city councilors."

Today's Harvard Crimson covers last night's City Council meeting and the record turnout of citizens who spoke against the proposed Fresh Pond Medallion Plan.

As you may already be aware, Fresh Pond plans to institute a pilot Medallion Program to limit the number of off-leash dogs. You may not know that the ordinance to enable this has not yet passed, and will go before the city council on Monday, April 9.

Yesterday's edition of the Harvard Crimson included an article about Monday's City Council meeting, concluding with a quote from CDOG Steering Committee member, Gina Bilander. Go, Gina!

Here's a l

Are you interested in the rights and responsibilities of responsible dog owners at Fresh Pond? If so, keep reading!

The Cambridge Water Board seeks a new member. This 5-member board oversees the Fresh Pond Advisory Board and is responsible for decision making regarding the entire watershed, including Fresh Pond. Two CDOG members actively work with the Advisory Board, striving to represent and advocate for the rights of responsible dog owners. If you would like to talk with them about their experiences working with the Advisory Board or their more limited experience with the Water Board, please email us at info@cambridgedog.org.

Today's (November 2) Cambridge Chronicle included a write-up of the Fort Washington Appreciation Day on October 14:

At last night's (9/7) Cambridge Historical Commission meeting, a unanimous decision was made by the Commission to approve the addition of wrought iron "skirts" at the bottom of the front gates at Fort Washington.

A public meeting has been called by the City of Cambridge to address planned changes at Little Fresh Pond. These changes may adversely affect all dog owners using Fresh Pond.

Little Fresh Pond is that wonderful beach-like area next to the golf course, where so many of our dogs like to tumble and swim. According to the Fresh Pond Master Plan (we have a copy) permanent fencing will be erected all along the roadway and part of the way around the Little Pond.

CDOG and other responsible dog owners claimed another victory last week during a neighborhood meeting regarding the creation of a FULLY-FENCED dog park on Pacific Street in Cambridge!

Mr. Stuart Dash requested Greg Garber of DPW determine the cost of fencing. Mr Dash committed to "making the recommendation to the city manager," and Councillor Murphy committed to reconvening the Working Group on Dog Parks, in order to work out the details (e.g., regulations, ground cover). "If all goes well," Mr. Dash stated, "we can expect it to be in place within six months."

This page contains the minutes of Cambridge public meetings on dog parks. After the city's minutes are published, we post them on this site.

Please click on the meeting minutes you are interested in viewing.

Cambridge Dog Owners' Group has been working with the city on the creation of both designated dog parks as well as shared/mixed use space for families with dogs.

Our proposal (CDOG proposal) for designated dog parks, our first document to the city, was presented in May 2004.