Westfield is also considering creating a dog park.
AGAWAM – The city is moving forward with plans for a dog park because a majority of residents surveyed favor developing such an amenity, according to Mayor Richard A. Cohen.
“I fully support it,” Cohen said Tuesday of the concept, noting that the Agawam Dog Owners Group has agreed to fully fund and supervise a park.
The mayor also pointed out that other communities, Westfield among them, are eyeing have dog parks.
Sixty-seven percent of 338 residents surveyed favor developing a dog park where canines could safely play unleashed, according to the Office of Planning and Community Development.
Another 28 percent disagreed. The survey was done by the planning and community development office in response to recent efforts of the Agawam Dog Owners Group to promote creating a dog park in the community.
The mayor called for the study to measure public support for a dog park as it would most likely be established on city-owned property.
Of those who took the survey, 28 percent would visit the park at least once a week and 24 percent would use it at least three times a week. Thirty-one percent listed maintenance as their greatest concern and 15 percent worried about animal vaccinations and diseases.
Deborah S. Dachos, director of Planning and Community Development, said health issues could be easily addressed by requiring an annual permit to use the dog park with evidence of immunizations mandated. Dog park users would be required to have their permit with them while using the area. Twenty-right percent of survey respondents stated they have no concerns about having a dog park.
The city is eyeing a small section of its 35-acre Shea Field property as a possible site. Shea Field is located off Maynard Street behind Robinson Park School near Robinson State Park. Dog parks generally take up an acre or more, Dachos has said.
The cost of developing a dog park has been estimated at anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 with most of the cost being fencing materials.