Plymouth Dog Park Set to Open in Early June
New facility features separate areas for small and large dogs, ADA-accessible amenities
PLYMOUTH - May 6 - Plymouth's long-awaited dog park is set to open in early June, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for June 5, following the Select Board's unanimous approval of regulations and policies Tuesday night.
The park, which has been in development since 2021, features separate areas for small and large dogs, ADA-accessible amenities, and comprehensive rules designed to ensure safety and cleanliness.
"We're hoping that it's going to open next summer," joked Nick Faiella, Parks and Forestry Superintendent, before clarifying that a soft opening could happen as early as next week once signage is installed.
The dog park includes eight benches, four watering stations, waste bag dispensers, and separate areas for dogs under and over 25 pounds. The small dog area features P-Stone surfacing, while the large dog area has manufactured wood chips.
"We have ADA accessible dog watering stations," Faiella explained while showing photos of the completed facility to the board. "For the small dog area, which is pea stone, and then the large dog area, which is manufactured wood chips, we have ADA accessible dog watering stations."
The Select Board approved a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for the park, which Faiella said were developed after reviewing policies from about 30 different Massachusetts dog parks.
Key regulations include requirements that all dogs be licensed, vaccinated, and at least six months old. Owners must maintain voice command and visual contact with their dogs at all times, and immediately remove any dog displaying aggressive behavior.
The rules also prohibit children under 12 from entering the park, and handlers must be at least 16 years old. Younger guests must be accompanied by someone over 18.
"It's a lot of rules, but there's a lot of different scenarios that can take place in the dog park," Faiella said. "These rules are very close to any other dog park in Massachusetts."
When asked about enforcement, Faiella explained it would be a collaborative effort. Police would handle human conflicts, animal control would address dog bites, and the Department of Public Works would manage maintenance issues.
"It's going to be kind of a mix as far as that goes," Faiella said. "A good way to think about it would be like human-on-human contact. You know, people fighting over their dogs or something would be the police. Dog bites and such would be animal control."
Select Board member Charlie Bletzer expressed optimism about the park's future.
"The dog owners I know, most of them are very responsible, and this is a big thing for them," Bletzer said. "Hopefully they police themselves and there's no issues. And that's a great place to meet people, network, and it's a long time coming."
Following the approval of the regulations, the board voted unanimously to dissolve the dog park committee, which had completed its work after being formed in August 2021.
"I know that this is a committee that was created, I think, in August of 2021. Has been meeting for a long time to try and make this a reality," said Select Board member Kevin Canty. "It's being dissolved not because of the quality of the work, but because of the culmination of their work."
Bletzer acknowledged former committee member Harry Helm for his early advocacy of the project.
"If Harry Helm is watching somewhere down in Maryland, wherever he is right now, I'm sure he's happy," Bletzer said. "This was something that he started, I think it was, what, 20 years ago or something, it seems. Probably four years ago. But anyway, thank you for the work everybody did. This is going to be a great project."
The dog park is just one of several projects currently underway in Plymouth. Faiella mentioned that there are "thoughts of incorporating one in the Forges Field master plan" when asked about future dog parks in town.
Other business from the meeting:
- The Select Board accepted a five-acre gift of land from Sheridan Home Builders to be held under the care and custody of the Conservation Commission. The land is located between Tupper Hill and Route 3 South and connects to existing town open space and Elmer Raymond Park.
- Town Manager Derek Brindisi announced that Governor Maura Healey will visit Plymouth on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Center for Active Living to make an announcement regarding Older Adult Month.
- Road work will begin next week on several streets.
- The Safe Harbor building on Union Ave has received its demolition permit and is expected to be torn down in the next four to five weeks.
- A new police substation at the PGDC building on North Street is expected to open next week.
- Early voting for the upcoming election begins Wednesday and will continue through Saturday this week, and Monday through Wednesday of next week during town hall hours.