EASTHAMPTON — After multiple years of discussion and debate, the Easthampton Parks and Recreation Commission has voted to approve a parcel within Nonotuck Park to be the home of a new dog park.
The decision came during the commission’s Dec. 17 meeting following more discussion on where the park should go inside Nonotuck Park. Ultimately it was voted on to have the parcel between Pavillion 3 and Booster Field as the future home to the new dog park in Easthampton.
The Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park received permission to consider a location inside Nonotuck Park earlier this year and have worked alongside the city’s Park and Recreation Commission as well as Canon Landscape in building up potential dog park designs for the location.
While a more formal design will now be developed for the chosen location, the vision discussed for the dog park includes separate sections for large dogs and small dogs, with possibly a small run for dogs needing an area to get comfortable before entering the park. There are also hopes for agility equipment, benches and water hook ups to be a feature of the dog park.
“This site has always been our members’ priority for a location,” said Joan Kurtz, president of the Easthampton Dog Park said to the commission in May.
The Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park will continue to explore financial options including what potential grants could help fund parts of the project, with the city also working with its design partner in coming up with a cost efficient project for the city.
Easthampton City Councilor At-Large Owen Zaret celebrated the decision via his Facebook page following the meeting.
“This began as a recommendation six years ago to the property committee to pursue a grant for a dog park. It has faced many twists and turns, it has many times appeared like it would be unsuccessful. Fortunately, through the perseverance of private citizens collaborating with municipal stakeholders and elected officials, we now see a reality of a sense in dog park in our city,” Zaret said. “This is somewhat of a dream come true. I’m looking forward to seeing this project continue to progress.”
While approval of the location was made, the next steps in constructing the dog park is the city receiving a more formal design plan of the park for the chosen location inside Nonotuck Park. Parks and Recreation Director John Mason added this was a key step in opening up more work to complete the project.
“The next step is for Canon Landscape to come with a more formal design plan so then we can get cost estimates for the Friends of the Dog Park,” said Director of Parks and Recreation John Mason. “As far as timing goes, I’m not sure how long it will take to get cost estimates and for them to raise the money for the project.”
