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Select Board approves dog park rules and signals soft opening within two weeks
Summary
The board adopted rules for Westborough’s new dog park after a presentation by Recreation Director Jen Kirkland. Regulations cover hours, leash and licensing requirements, a three‑dog limit per owner, signage, and provisions for trash and bag dispensers; the Stanton Foundation and ARPA funds require the park be open to all.
The Westborough Select Board voted to adopt rules and regulations for the town’s new dog park, paving the way for a soft opening likely within two weeks.
Recreation Director Jen Kirkland told the board the park is complete and described policies designed to protect animals and owners: the park will be open dawn to dusk, dogs must be licensed and leashed when entering and leaving, owners are limited to three dogs (to align with kennel licensing rules), children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and users must bring bags to pick up waste (the town will supply bag dispensers). The park includes separate small‑ and large‑dog areas, double‑gated entries, water fountains for people and dogs, benches, and signage. Kirkland said signage will note that Stanton Foundation and ARPA funds supported construction and that funding rules require access be open to all residents and nonresidents.
Board members asked about rabies/license tag enforcement, signage language and size, trash pickup coordination with DPW, potential Friends‑group fundraising for add‑on features, and whether the park will close during significant snowfall. Kirkland said DPW will pick up trash routinely and that a gift account exists for donations to park amenities.
The board moved, seconded and approved the regulations as amended in a roll call vote (recorded as a unanimous ‘yes’ by members present). Kirkland said she expects signage within roughly 10 days and a soft opening thereafter; the recreation department will not stage a large grand opening to avoid crowding.
