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West Stockbridge Dog Park committee finalizes grand-opening plans, approves sign and waste pickup
Summary
At its Sept. 10 meeting the West Stockbridge Dog Park Advisory Committee set a 123 p.m. grand-opening schedule, approved purchases including an 18x36 aluminum park sign and 25 volunteer T-shirts, and voted to begin weekly waste pickup starting Nov. 1; estimated attendance is about 50 people and 25 dogs.
The West Stockbridge Dog Park Advisory Committee finalized logistics for the park's opening and approved several purchases at its meeting on Sept. 10, 2025.
Committee members approved buying an 18x36-inch aluminum sign for $118 that will match the library's signage style; Chair Michael Bolognino said he will present the sign proposal to the Select Board. The committee also voted to purchase 25 one-color long-sleeve volunteer T-shirts for about $175 and to begin a weekly waste pickup contract at $48 per week, starting Nov. 1, one month after the park opens.
The committee set a 12:003:00 p.m. time window for the grand opening with a draft schedule that includes a 12:30 dog parade, a 1:00 ribbon cutting with short remarks, an afternoon agility demonstration if support is available, and a 2:30 raffle drawing. The committee estimated roughly 50 people and 25 dogs for the opening and agreed refreshments will be provided free; planned items include 30 pup cups from Ella May, 10 dozen cider donuts from Hilltop Orchard (about $100) and two cases of cider (about $50). The food budget approved so far is approximately $160; donations will be accepted in jars on-site.
On construction and site readiness, the committee reviewed a punchlist from Berkshire Design Group. Members said fencing has grading-related gaps that the contractor will correct, gates are not yet installed and should be added quickly to prevent public entry, benches remain to be installed and some path erosion will be repaired. Water sources are in place for both large and small parks and fountains are scheduled for installation. Because people have been entering the site already, the committee agreed to use caution tape or temporary signage until official opening.
The committee discussed signage and outreach: it will explore additional directional signs and staff a Farmers Market booth the Thursday before the opening to publicize the event. Ten program ad slots have been sold (about $250 revenue), and members approved printing 100 black-and-white programs at Staples. Paige Orloff was assigned to draft a press release to local media; outreach was to be coordinated to avoid premature announcements on community boards.
Other logistics covered included the agility course plan (committee members will seek Humane Society help and Sharon Vidal will contact Lisa Corbett about equipment), brick engraving delays (the machine is out and the group declined an epoxy-fill alternative), and logo options (several preferred designs were noted but the final vote was postponed). Regarding on-site receptacles, Heather Hicks explained some waste-receptacle baskets were omitted because of local bear activity; the committee will monitor and adjust if needed.
The committee set follow-up coordination by email and scheduled additional touchpoints ahead of the opening. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.; the next meeting is scheduled for Sep. 20 at 10:00 a.m.
