A pack of dogs will be roaming downtown Westfield Saturday morning but there is no cause for alarm, the dogs will be friendly and accompanied by their people as they “Strut” to raise funds for a dog park in the city.
A local group, the Friends of the Westfield Dog bark, has been working for almost two years to establish a playground for dogs in the city and will stage their first “Strut With Your Mutt” Saturday as their latest fundraising event to raise the money needed for the Westfield Dog Bark.
The “Strut” will begin at Whitney Playground (which can be accessed at the end of Shepard Street) with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. and a 10 a.m. starting time.
“Strut” organizer Lindsay Carr suggests that participants complete the registration form (which can be found on the group’s web site, www.westfielddogbark.com) before arriving at the park as it is often difficult to complete paperwork while maintaining control over a dog.
She said that participants are asked to donate at least $10 and will walk on the sidewalks from the park to Elm Street, proceeding to Court Street, and then on to Washington Street. From there, they will proceed to Franklin Street and thence back to the playground via Shepard Street.
A shortcut from Elm Street to Washington Street via Arnold Street will be an option for any walkers who choose to shave about a half mile off the nearly two-mile route.
To prevent interference with other pedestrians, the dogs and their handlers will leave the playground on a staggered schedule so they will not to be walking as a crowd.
Back at the playground, Carr said, the winners of contests and raffles will be announced.
Judges will view the participants before and during the walk and prizes will be awarded for the best walking duo, the best look-alike pair and for the best attire. Several gift baskets will be raffled off.
All dogs participating must be licensed, up to date with inoculations and under the control of their handlers.
The dogs must be restrained by leashes less than six feet long at all times and may not be aggressive to persons or other dogs. Consent and release of liability forms for all participants must be signed by an adult and no children younger than 16 years of age will be allowed to participate without a guardian. All poop must be picked up immediately and walkers are asked to keep to the right side of the sidewalks to avoid interference other pedestrians.
The Friends have staged a series of events since the group was founded to raise money for the Bark and have been working to achieve 501C(3) tax-exempt status, a position that may encourage donations.
Marilyn Sandidge, the vice president of the group, said that the application has not yet been approved by the IRS but she said that members of the Friends are in discussions with the IRS and approval is expected soon.
Funds will be needed for major expenses, such as fencing materials and mulch to cover the play area at the dog park, as well as for less expensive amenities, such as clean-up stations, signage, and benches.
The group has investigated a number of locations for a dog park such as Grandmother’s Garden, Whitney Playground and Papermill Playground but those sites, and other, have not panned out.
However, after a public meeting staged under the auspices of the city’s Park’s and Recreation Department, interest has grown, especially among city councilors. The council created an ad hoc committee to investigate city property that might be available and suitable for the Bark.
That committee is chaired by city councilor Christopher Crean who said that he has been surprised by the number of telephone calls he has received from residents interested in a dog park.
“I’ve got more calls from people asking about our dog park, what we’re doing and how we’re proceeding, than I can shake a stick at. I get more calls about that than I do about the tax rate” he said. Crean said that a sizable fenced area for dogs will probably be constructed by the city on Cabot Road property in conjunction with a city owed animal shelter proposed to replace the current leased facility on Apremont Way but he said that will take years to accomplish.
He also said that he has been told by the mayor that the city is negotiating to purchase property which would be well suited to a dog park but said that the mayor is not ready to announce the location of that property and said that project will not be completed soon either.
As a more immediate, albeit temporary, alternative Crean has suggested that the Friends use property on Neck Road owned by the city’s Water Department as a temporary site. He said he would discuss the issue with the law department to ensure that there are no legal obstacles to using the property temporarily.
Sandidge has said that the group is waiting to hear back from Crean before moving to prepare the site as a temporary doggie playground for safe socialization and exercise.
