Comment Details

It's about time Worcester caught up with the times.

•Should dogs be allowed on leashes in City parks? Why or why not?
YES. All city parks should be open to all leashed, licensed dogs at all times, with the exception of playing fields, schoolyards, and playgrounds.

•If dogs were to be allowed in City parks, what measures should the City take to keep our parks safe and clean?
Safety exceptions should be the prohibition of dogs in play fields, schoolyards and playgrounds. Fines for non-compliance with waste removal should be set; recommended at no less than $100 and no greater than $250.

•If the City were to open a dog park or parks (where dogs would be allowed off-leash), where should they be located?
Boynton Park, Beaver Brook, Green Hill for starters.

•if you don't have a specific park in mind, what characteristics should the park have?
Multiple small unleashed parks (or alternatively, parks where dogs are permitted on a 25' leash)!should be considered and strategically, and geographically located by neighborhood. Large expanses other than the three above are unnecessary; sites so designated should contain no play areas specific for children, have appropriate waste receptacles, and should ideally be fenced or naturally restricted by plantings of trees and/or shrubbery. These smaller sites should have regulated off-leash hours, recommended to run daily between the hours of 5AM to 8AM and 7PM to 10PM.

•What specific rules and/or restrictions should a potential dog park have?
1) All parks should have mandatory fines for non-compliance with waste removal. All parks should contain appropriate recepticals to facilitate waste removal.
2) All playing fields, schoolyards and playgrounds should be off limits to all dogs at all times.
3) Three large/medium off-leash parks should be created with no time restrictions.
4) Additional small off-leash parks should be designated between the hours of 5AM to 8AM and 7PM to 10PM daily, and should be strategically and geographically designated by neighborhood.