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How BDOG Was Formed
A major focus of BDOG has been to establish a place for dogs and their owners to socialize.
Belmont Dog Owners Group (BDOG) was formed in November, 2002, after a meeting sponsored by the Friends of the Belmont Citizens Forum entitled, “Finding a Place for Dogs to Play.” A draft of a proposed open space use and management plan for the Rock Meadow conservation area in the Town was presented by Michael Flamang, who was a member of the Belmont Conservation Commission. (This plan was submitted December 10, 2002, to the full Commission.) Mr. Flamang explained at the meeting that at the request of the Recreation Department and other individuals, the draft plan noted that the Town might research the need for a dog exercise area and might consider a pilot off-leash dog program in Rock Meadow. Appendix B of the draft plan made reference to a particular section of Rock Meadow that was suggested as a possible location if the Town wanted to pursue an off-leash area.
BDOG was created within weeks of this exciting meeting. (BDOG is organized with by-laws and registered with the Attorney General's Office as a Massachusetts public charity.) Members of BDOG appeared before the Conservation Commission in support of an off-leash recreational area for dogs at Rock Meadow. However, for a number of reasons, an off-leash recreation area for dogs at Rock Meadow was not included, in the final Plan by the full Conservation Commission. The suggested location in 2002 was not endorsed by the Animal Control Officer.
Since 2002, BDOG has investigated other potential sites in Town.
In December, 2006, members of BDOG again went before the Conservation Commission with a proposal for an Off Leash Recreation Area in a different area of Rock Meadow. At the December 5, 2006, meeting of the Conservation Commission, the proposal to use about two acres of Rock Meadow between Winter and Marsh Streets was supported by the Animal Control Officer. The Conservation Commission requested that BDOG investigate another site in the Town and also provide the Commission with additional information to support this proposal to use the suggest Rock Meadow site.
BDOG is moving ahead addressing the issues raised at the December, 2006, meeting.
Unless otherwise noted all photographs © 2006, 2007, 2008 Patricia A. Petow. All other original content © 2006, 2007, 2008 Belmont Dog Owners Group. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
