Off-Leash Recreation Area in Maynard, MA

The purpose of this petition is to request the designation and construction of an enclosed off-leash recreation area (OLRA) at the former landfill on Waltham Street, Maynard. The landfill, which is town-owned property, has been vacant and largely unused for 20 years, despite the fact that the town lists its purpose as an area for "active or passive recreation".

We, the undersigned constituents of Maynard and the surrounding areas, respectfully urge the Maynard Board of Selectment to designate the area as an OLRA and to work with MayDOG, the Maynard Dog Owners Group, to furnish the park with a fence, benches, a kiosk, a water source, trash receptacles, signage, etc. We request that the Town of Maynard authorize adequate funding (augmenting the funds that will be raised by MayDOG through private contributions and grants) to provide these amenities. Once the OLRA is constructed, a core group of community activists, including the creators of this petition, will commit themselves to its continued maintenance, including organized, periodic, cleanup efforts and regular mowing.

In creating an OLRA, we hope to accomplish multiple goals:

1. To establish a fenced area where dogs can exercise off-leash in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property, or wildlife.
2. To develop well-maintained open space, open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park's rules and restrictions.
3. To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the Town of Maynard, designed to satisfy the needs of dog owners and non-dog owners alike.

Unfortunately, no OLRAs currently exist in the Maynard vicinity. Though Maynard taxpayers enjoy the open spaces available for recreation in the area, many facilities (such as the Assabet National Wildlife Refuge) do not allow dogs at all. In order to exercise and enjoy their pets in a safe (fenced) off-leash environment, Maynard dog owners must make a 35-minute drive to Weston or a 45-to-60 minute drive to Medway, Saugus, or Sharon.

The addition of an OLRA will not only make use of a currently unused area in Maynard and provide Maynard residents and residents of the surrounding towns with a much-needed off-leash environment for their pets, but it also will benefit the greater community in several more far-reaching ways:

1. A dog park builds bonds within the human community.
2. Dog park patrons tend to be people who appreciate the park and take an "ownership interest" in it. As a result, they keep the area free of criminal activities.
3. Those who care enough to attend dog parks are usually registered voters, educated, somewhat affluent people, and very attractive to local businesses. Such citizens attract others like themselves to live in the area, continuing the trend to increase revenues to local business and to the tax base.
4. Most dogs require exercise that leash restrictions do not permit. The cardiovascular benefit provided by healthy play with other dogs is great for dogs' longevity and weight control. Dogs are social animals whose mental health is improved by interaction with other canines. Happy, healthy dogs are calmer and better behaved, reducing nuisance barking and other annoying behaviors exhibited by unexercised canines.
5. Since there are no sidewalks along many Maynard streets, many Maynard residents feel unsafe walking their dogs outside the downtown core. An OLRA would greatly improve overall safety for both residents and dogs in Maynard by providing a safe place for dogs to exercise without having to fear oncoming traffic.

Thank you for your consideration of this petition.