Cambridge DOG - Dog Park Advocacy

Fresh Pond Medallion Program ON HOLD as a result of testimony at City Council meeting!

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:31:39 -0700

April 10, 2007
Last night, almost 50 people spoke in favor of continued access to Fresh Pond for off-leash dogs and their owners. Cambridge residents and residents of neighboring towns were allowed 3 minutes in which to speak- the sign-up sheet ran to seven pages and citizen opponents of the Fresh Pond Medallion Program spoke for a total of over 2 hours. According to Councillor Tim Toomey, this was the largest turnout for any issue at a City Council meeting in several years.

Fort Washington Closed for Renovations

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:39:30 -0700

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.

Shared Space Proposal Covered in Cambridge Chronicle

Wed, 21 May 2008 08:07:35 -0700

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

Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings to Discuss Shared Use: Off-Leash Hours at Local Parks

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:30:06 -0700

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.

Dogs May Be Banned from Boston's New Rose Kennedy Greenway

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:58:43 -0800

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).

Dog Parks Create Community: Letter from CDOG Member in Cambridge Chronicle

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:01:28 -0800

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!

DCR and Watertown Encourage Dog Walkers to Walk Along the Charles- $3 Million Renovation Planned

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:55:18 -0700

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:

Boston Globe Reports on Need for Maintenance at Fort Washington

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:53:26 -0700

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

Cambridge Chronicle Announces Pacific Street Park Grand Opening Celebration June 10

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:54:56 -0700

See the article on the Chronicle website.

May 30: Boston Globe and WHDH TV Report on Fresh Pond Medallion Program

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:16:18 -0700

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.

Pacific Street Park Opening Rescheduled for June 10

Fri, 25 May 2007 07:13:24 -0700

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.

City Council to Discuss Animal Control Ordinance Again 5/21, official report from April 9 City Council discussion

Fri, 18 May 2007 15:06:25 -0700

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

Craig Kelley's summary of the Ordinance Committee Hearing on Cambridge's off-leash regulations

Mon, 07 May 2007 11:44:17 -0700

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.

Ordinance Committee discusses Animal Control ordinance, esp. re. Fresh Pond

Wed, 02 May 2007 13:22:22 -0700

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

Latest meeting on Medallion Program covered in Cambridge Chronicle

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 05:42:25 -0700

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