Ashland Bark Park—Coming Soon

Dog owners in Ashland want a safe, enclosed place to bring their pets, a place where they and their dogs can socialize with others. That place may not be far off. Since the fall of 2017, a group has been working to bring a dog park, recently named the Ashland Bark Park, to town.
“I approached [Selectman] Yolanda Greaves, who suggested getting interested parties together and just start meeting,” Cara Tirrell said. “Soon we formed a committee, held a public forum and met with town administrators.”
Committee members are Cara Tirrell, president; Candi Wilson, vice president/secretary; Yolanda Greaves, Paul Kendall, Anissa Battaglino, Cathy Rooney, David Schwarz and advisory member Dona Walsh from Ashland Animal Control.
Over the past few months, the committee studied other dog park successes, drew up dog park rules, created a website and Facebook page, held a park naming contest and started the process to become a nonprofit organization. The committee has also reviewed land parcels and open space in town.
Their goal is to have a park in Ashland by the spring of 2019.
“The location is one of the most asked questions, but we aren’t certain yet,” Tirrell said. “We have discussed three locations: Ponderosa Road, behind the dog kennel; Valentine Estate land or land off of Olive Street; and Weston nursery land/the old Sibson barn.”
Tirrell said, “Our research included speaking with the public at a forum and finding out that the public had indicated in the Open Space and Recreation survey that they wanted a dog park as part of recreation areas in town.”
There are 1,800 registered dogs in town.
Tirrell explained, “We want to give dog owners an option for an off-leash area, which is safe and monitored by dog control. Depending on size, I can see 30 dogs at a time. We’re planning to have a small dog and a large dog area.”
“At this time, we are looking for supporters to attend our meetings and take on some of the tasks that we need assistance with. We need a treasurer, someone to monitor our Facebook page, we need self-starters and members that can attend meetings and are willing to fund raise and bring some different talents to the board. Once we receive our non-profit status, we will need financial donations. If the dog park requires a town meeting vote, we will need supporters who show up to vote.”
According to organizers, the dog park committee will be non-profit corporation responsible for operating, maintaining and improving Ashland Bark Park. The all-volunteer board of directors will ensure that Ashland Bark Park is a safe, pleasant and fun place for dogs and their people. To support the park, the committee will ask park visitors for donations, with 100 percent going to park maintenance, upkeep and improvement.
For more information, visit www.ashlanddogpark.com or email info@AshlandDPC.gmail.