The city of Boston has begun a series of meetings aimed at improving amenities for dogs and their owners in Franklin Park.
“The reason we’re even doing this study is we want to listen and better understand the needs of dog owners and non-dog park users,” said Kenya Thompson, a project manager for the Parks Department who noted that 20 percent of comments in the Franklin Park Action Plan mentioned dogs.
The effort kicked with pop-up open houses in the park earlier this week. Thompson said a public meeting on the topic is set for Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. in the Devine Golf Course Clubhouse on Circuit Drive.
“We want to see how space can be thoughtfully analyzed,” said Thompson, a Dorchester resident. “Franklin Park is so iconic and historic and at the same time it is a neighborhood park…We want to find out what would be helpful to everybody. Maybe it isn’t a dog park, maybe it is.”
Dog owners, picnickers, hikers, and sports teams have sometimes clashed in parts of the park – particularly the Playstead – where open fields invite some dog owners to let their dogs off leash to run. That doesn’t always jibe with golfers, football practices, or those with food on picnic blankets.
The hope, Thompson says, is to find a peaceful co-existence.
“We’re going to hear both sides,” she said. “Franklin Park is a tough one because people already bring pets and people bring kids and other people come to enjoy the park alone. Most dog owners are mindful of the dogs coming at people, but we don’t know everything that happens.”
Pet waste left behind in the park is also a concern, not only for humans, but also for the wild animals that live in Franklin Park.
Officials have begun working on a site analysis with CZA Architects to look at underutilized spaces, and they have set up a city website for the project as well.
Those with and without dogs are encouraged to take a survey posted on the site. The analysis will identify potential locations for dog infrastructure that could include a dog park, an off-leash area, waste stations, or pet water fountains.
Any new amenities would be determined by the input gathered this fall, with a final report with cost estimates and specific plans envisioned for next spring, Thompson said.
