serious set back
Well folks, I fear it’s back to the drawing board here in North Andover. What to do, what to do. Kinda wish I lived closer to Somerville where the Mayor has taken the initiative to establish three dedicated spaces for the pups! Surely there’s a fallow field waiting for us somewhere, we’ve just gotta find it! Bring on the ideas, I know I have a few to explore!
Waterville, ME gets it!
Wish North Andover would be as proactive with their offer of the town land. They’ve offered it, but there’s still A LOT of paperwork to be done!
WATERVILLE, MAINE — Dog owners looking for a place to take their pooches will get their wish this fall.
City councilors Tuesday night voted to allow establishing a dog park on city-owned land off West River Road in an area near Pine Ridge Golf Course that formerly was used as a driving range.
“Waterville needs a dog park and I think it’s a good spot for it,” said Parks & Recreation Director Matt Skehan.
Councilors authorized City Manager Michael Roy to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Humane Society Waterville Area to establish the park. The city would provide general oversight of the facility. (Read on …)
this is what needs to happen.
We here are at a bit of stalemate, can you help with any of these formalities?
The below 5 issues need to be addressed and included in a site plan.
1) We need to determine the exact size of the lot. (i don’t think my step measurements count)
2) We need to determine what kind of surface we’d use. The lot is currently grass, I don’t know what would happen to the grass with extensive dog, uh, use. The Derry Dog Park in Derry, N.H., is dirt, aside from being a bit dirty, it works, and is very low maintenance.
3) What kind of fencing do we want? I had proposed a 4 foot height chain link fence enclosure with a double gated entry point. Seems standard and adequate.
4) We need to include in the sketch a few angled parking spaces. I am confident that there will be plenty of parallel parking and little conflict for those spaces on Dale Street all along the playing field, but angled parking on the lot was discussed and may need to be implemented to appease the Gallagher Field users. Angled pull in spots with a one way loop around the white barn is that solution. It needn’t be paved and already exists.
5)What kind of maintenance would the park need? While this is something difficult to assess from the outset, perhaps we could at least have a plan for what I imagine “they” are concerned about which is poop pickup. I contend town land should be eligible for trash pickup, just as I believe Gallagher Field is.
This sounds like a lot, but really it’s just putting these ideas into one succinct package to present to the Town Selectmen. Can you help? Post a comment!
spring is here!
the ground is thawed (and flooded) it’s time to get cracking on the dog park again! stay tuned for updates!!
tribune article
I can’t seem to find the article online, but Wednesday’s Eagle Tribune had another article about the proposed dog park, supportive of the location! I’ll link it when i can! In the meantime, I met with a Civil Engineer at the sight on Thursday who has agreed to draw up some plans to present to the Planning Board. More progress, YES!!
progress report
At the Selectmen’s meeting held on October 19th, the Selectmen provided a preliminary endorsement of using the town owned land at the Town Farm for a possible dog park. They re-emphasized their position that the construction and maintenance of the dog park would be at no cost to the town. We have emphasized that we totally understand this and feel the fundraising efforts will be swift and solvent. The next step is to begin the permitting process with the town’s land use boards (Conservation Commission, Planning, Zoning and maybe the Board of Health?) As soon as I hear how to proceed with this, I will.
From the Eagle Tribune’s “Don’t Print That” North Andover Selectman Richard Nardella during a discussion about a proposed dog park: “Are we going to have a parakeet farm pretty soon?”
meeting minutes!
From the town: “The committee has designated a parcel of land adjacent to Gallagher Field on Dale Street that would be the most suitable site in terms of distance from residential property, topography and availability to off street parking. There is considerable more work to be done to make sure that the location is feasible including reviews by the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board. Once it is determined that this is the final location, then an agreement would have to be negotiated with the park proponents to make sure that the town is not obligated for any costs associated with its construction or operation.”
Excellent, we at the Coalition for a North Andover Dog Park are totally on board with this!
I was out of town for the meeting and have not yet had a chance to review the video, but the Eagle Tribune called, _they were there_ and are doing a follow up article on the proposed location! (I’ll link the article when I see it)
Sounds promising! I think fundraising will be starting up in the real near future!
Selectmen Meeting, Oct. 19
Town Manager Mark Rees will present the Town Farm location as the best location for the North Andover Dog Park to the town’s land use boards (Planning, Conservation and Zoning Appeals) at Monday night’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen. I’ll be unable to attend, but have the DVR set to record the pending good news! Tune in to local access or attend the meeting and report back! Updates to follow.
land committee likes location!
Good news! The land committee supports the town farm as a potential location for the North Andover Dog Park! The committee’s acceptance will be presented to the town selectmen soon, and with their support, the project will continue to move forward!
A call to anyone who knows anyone, we’re going to need some Site Plans. Any engineers out there available for some pro-bono work? An official schematic is needed with fenced dimensions, angled parking, and potential barriers to prevent park runoff into the nearby wetlands. Do you qualify to help? Please contact us!!
update: we’ve got the engineer and the wetlands expert! are you a lawyer? will we need a lawyer?
More updates to follow, pending Town Selectman approval.
more on the town farm
I returned to the town farm today with a more official means of measurement. 85 feet wide by 145 long. That’s 12,325 square feet, a little more than a 1/4 of an acre. Not huge, but bigger than I thought and absolutely big enough. And, in going with a rectangle, it leaves a small triangle at the back left part of the field, maybe for a small dog romp area?
I’m trying not to get too excited, as Im certain SOMEONE will find something wrong with this piece of land, but the more I mull it and think about it, it becomes better and better!
There may even be room to expand towards to the back of the plot to gain a few ten to 20 feet in length.
Anyone know an eagle scout in need of a project? The North Andover Dog Park might need some brush clearing, help with fencing, and a few wooden benches in the near future!
Updates next Wednesday.
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