Let’s start by suggesting a different term for dog park. We know it’s an easy term to use, but it often evokes irate comments like: “What do you mean you want to spend my taxes on a bunch of dogs?”; “What about safe playground equipment for my kids?”; “Drinking fountains for dogs, you gotta be kidding!” Play it safe, try using terms like “off-leash” or “multi-use area,” stressing the human component at all times. The acronym-clever COLA people (Citizens for Off-Leash Areas) in Seattle simply call theirs OLAs (a convention we’ll adopt here). In Berkeley, “multi-use area” refers to the multiple legitimate uses, including our leashless dogs, that are allowable in sections of the park. In Indianapolis they refer to their recently inaugurated area as a Canine Companion Zone.

We are using off-leash recreation area (OLRA) because that’s the term used by som|dog, another local dog owners group.

• The town bought the land with the purpose of using it for active or passive recreation
• There may be ticks – people would need to be aware
• Gerry is not aware of any other health risks
• Venting of methane may appear to some as a health problem, but it is not
• Land cannot be built on – may pose a problem for putting up a fence
• However, 1 acre was not used for landfill and could be fenced
• Total area is approximately 13.1 acres
• A competing proposal was to use the land to put up solar panels – the selectmen will know more about that

Here are some of the business establishments in Maynard and surrounding towns that are notably dog friendly (well-behaved, leashed dogs are usually welcome):

• Aubuchon Hardware, 51 Main St – (978) 897-2500
• Ace Hardware, 117 Great Rd # 117, Stow – (978) 461-0122
• Pet Source, 117 Great Rd, Stow – (978) 897-9599
• Ray & Sons Cyclery, Main St, Maynard – (978) 897-8121
• Erikson’s Ice Cream, 12 Great Rd, Maynard (free doggie ice cream available on request!)

Do you know of other dog-friendly businesses? Please add them in the comments!