Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a dog park?

A dog park is a fenced area designated for the use of people who wish to exercise their dogs safely off leash and allow them to socialize with other dogs. Dog parks are gaining in popularity across the country. SomeDogPark will be the first official off-leash dog park in Bristol County.

What are the benefits of a dog park?

Provides a tool for enforcement of dog control laws by requiring all dogs to be licensed in their respective town/city.

Promotes responsible pet ownership.

Promotes public health and safety by reducing the likelihood that dogs will infringe on the rights of other community members (e.g., joggers, kids, those who may be fearful of dogs). Additionally, by their mere presences, groups of dog owners help deter crime in the area around the dog park.

Provides a safe environment in which to exercise canine companions.

Creates a social hub for communities. In an era where people are often reluctant or afraid to approach a stranger, dog parks bring people together and create a greater sense of community.

Who is establishing the dog park in Somerset?

The establishment of a dog park in Somerset is a joint venture between SomeDogPark, Inc. and the Town of Somerset.

Who is SomeDogPark, Inc.?

SomeDogPark, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies solely on donations to raise the funds necessary to establish and maintain an off-leash dog park in the Town of Somerset.

What are the goals of SomeDogPark, Inc.?

To establish a fenced, off-leash dog park where well-behaved canine citizens can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering or annoying people, property or wildlife.

To promote responsible pet ownership and prevent cruelty to animals.

To develop a beautiful, well-maintained space open to dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park's rules and restrictions.

To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the Town of Somerset, designed to satisfy the needs of dog wners and non-dog owners alike.

To make use of previously unused or underused Town property.

Why do we need a dog park in Somerset?

As population increases, additional demands on public open space as well as conflicting interests have resulted in the edging out of certain activities such as dog walking. As a solution to this problem, many municipalities locally and across the country have installed dog parks. Somerset, as a progressive town, should be at the forefront in this endeavor. Somerset’s parks are currently used primarily as athletic fields. We need to find ways to offer more activities in our parks to serve more residents of different interests and age groups and to make use of unused or underutilized public spaces. Creating dog parks helps to fulfill these goals. Somerset should create off-leash exercise areas (dog parks) because its park ordinances forbid dogs in parks unless the park is designated as an area where dogs are allowed (per the June 22, 1994 Board of Selectmen’s Meeting).

Currently, dogs are allowed in the following public spaces in Somerset: Mt. Hope Park, Mohawk Park, the Marsh, Morris Land, Elm Street Acres, Slade’s Farm Park; Brayton Land; Mallard Park; Chace Preserve; Blackledge Land; Upper portion of Pierce Beach Park.

Residents do not wish to lose these areas as areas where they may walk their dogs, but would only like the Town to consider creating an official off-leash recreation area somewhere in town, an area designated specifically for dogs and where dogs can run off-leash without disrupting the activities of others.

Have other local communities created dog parks?

Several dog parks exist in Massachusetts, mostly on the North Shore and other distant areas. The following Massachusetts towns currently have designated off-leash canine recreation areas: Amesbury, Ashland, Bedford, Bolton, Boston, Cambridge, Carlisle, Dorchester, Duxbury, Foxborough, Framingham, Groton, Harvard, Hingham, Holden, Hopkinton, Ipswich, Kingston, Lexington, Lynn, Mashpee, Medford, Medway, North Reading, Oak Bluff’s (Martha’s Vineyard), Oxford, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Sharon, Somerville, Stoneham, Stow, Wellesley Hills, Weston, Weymouth, Worcester, Wrentham, and many others. (This list was obtained from www.ecoanimal.com and is by no means definitive). Additionally, dogs are allowed in most MA state parks and on most state beaches year-round except lifeguarded beaches (in-season, no/few restrictions off-season) with varying leash restrictions. Several other communities are in the planning stages.

In Rhode Island, official dog parks exist in Newport, Barrington, Providence, and Warwick, with several others in the planning stages, and dogs are allowed access to the ocean at public boat ramps and fishing areas and other public access points not designated with “No Dogs” signs, and on all state bathing beaches from September 30 to April 1.

Website addresses to several local (and non-local) dog parks are included on the Links page.

Why should dog owners be considered?

Pet ownership is a positive aspect of our society. Many studies have shown the benefits of pet ownership to the mental and physical health of people of all ages. Taking a dog into a social situation provides a means for social interaction between people that otherwise may not be possible - it is easy to start up conversations when a pet is present and many friendships begin in this way. For many elderly people, an outing with their dog may provide the only contact with other people in their day. For people with mobility problems, a dog park allows exercising of their dog without walking any distance. For most dog owners, the opportunity to meet other dog lovers is a happy and rewarding experience, just as it is for their dogs to meet other dogs. Dog owners are taxpayers. It is unfair to ban them from public parks paid for by their taxes only because they wish to be accompanied by their dogs.

Dog owners who drive to neighboring communities to visit dog parks with their dogs also spend their shopping dollars there. Keeping dogs and their owners in Somerset...keeps money in Somerset.

Won't dogs fight if they run free together?

Since dogs are pack animals, they usually get along well together on neutral territory. Occasionally a dog shows aggressive behavior, but park rules prohibit aggressive dogs and such a dog must be removed immediately.

What are some examples of typical dog park rules?

• Dogs must be licensed to enter the park.
• Dog guardians must be in park and within view of their dogs.
• Aggressive dogs are not permitted on the premises.
• Dogs must be removed from the dog park at the first sign of aggression.
• Dog guardians must have a leash in hand at all times.
• Keep small children and infants under strict supervision. No strollers permitted.
• Leash dogs while entering and exiting the dog park.
• Female dogs in heat are prohibited from entering the park.
• Fill any hole your dog digs.
• Dogs should be under voice control (i.e. they should come when called by their guardians).