A recommended dog park site at Paper Mill Recreation Area drew public and City Council concern because it is a prime location for Westfield Little League baseball.
WESTFIELD – The City Council’s new Dog Park Committee will move as quickly as possible to identify a potential site for Westfield’s first dog park.
Ward 6 Councilor Christopher M. Crean, chairman, said Friday, “Our intent is to identify a site that will be a permanent location in Westfield for a dog park,” Crean said. The hope is to find a place soon, but there is always the option of a temporary location, he said.
Crean is joined by City Councilors Brian P. Sullivan and James R. Adams on the committee authorized by the full City Council in late February.
Formation of the committee is in response to ongoing public interest in a Westfield Dog Park and also to a recommended site at Paper Mill Recreation Area that drew public and City Council concern because it is a prime location for Westfield Little League baseball.
That site was suggested by Westfield Dog Bark, a non-profit organization promoting the creation of a public dog park. The group has offered to finance creation and maintenance of a park through fund-raising efforts and the supervise and maintain the facility. The group estimates the initial cost to create a park will be $10,000.
Crean said committee members plan to inspect property off Union Street, adjacent to the city’s sewer treatment plant.
The chairman said he plans to meet with Water and Sewer Superintendent David S. Billips to discuss the availability and feasibility of that city-owned site.
“I know other sites will also come up for discussion and review and the committee will look at all options,” said Crean.
Crean said additional information will become available on the project at the committee’s next meeting scheduled for April 11.
Agawam is also considering creation of a dog park and the Agawam Dog Owners Group has agreed to finance and provide supervision for a facility in that community.