By Lauren Ennis
The Bedford Dog Park Task Force met on April 5, 2018, to continue their discussion of sites for a potential dog park. The meeting was designated as a ‘committee meeting’ rather than a ‘town forum’, and the nearly 50 residents in attendance were asked to hold all comments or questions until the end of the meeting in order to allow the task force members the time to discuss the possible sites.
Two sites located at the Eliot Road Park (aka James F. Sullivan Playground) and the Altmann Tennis Court off Dudley Road were added to the site list per the suggestion of Recreation Department director Amy Hamilton. Chairperson Dan Hurwitz visited the sites prior to the meeting, but the committee ultimately rejected both sites as non-viable options due to the proximity of abutters.
The committee then considered the site located at Lindau Farm. After discussing residents’ and committee members’ shared concerns regarding traffic, public safety, parking, proximity to abutters, and potential effects upon wildlife, the committee unanimously agreed to remove the site from their list. The decision was met with enthusiastic approval from the residents in attendance.
The task force next considered the site at the town garages near the Bedford VA. The committee confirmed that the property is town-owned and has some advantages as a project site, Chairman, Dan Hurwitz stated that he heard that the closest abutter to the site had concerns, although sounded “reasonable.” He planned to walk the site with her and consider remediation options.
The final site, located at Springs Brook Park, was determined by the task force to be the most promising site due to its open space, driving accessibility, proximity to a water source, and lack of abutters. Residents expressed concerns regarding the site’s proximity to the park’s popular swimming area and the safety of children, but the committee assured residents that if the site is chosen measures would be taken to address public safety.
Selectman Caroline Fedele suggested that the task force has almost completed its charge. She would like to see final recommendations presented to the Selectmen, who will then decide the next steps in this project.
The committee agreed to reconvene for a meeting on April 26, 2018, at 7:30 pm at Bedford Town Hall in which they will review final pros and cons list for the two remaining sites at Springs Brook Park and near the VA garages. For more information, please visit the committee’s page on the Bedford town website at https://www.bedfordma.gov/ad-hoc-dog-park-task-force.
For a video of the meeting on YouTube, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcgXmohzPQg
(Editor’s Note: This article has been edited for clarity and varies from the original published April 7, 2018)
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