Needham Dog Park Now Fetching Funds

Needham is going to the dogs, and then to the dog park. 

Currently, there is no space in Needham for dog owners to bring their furry friends to run around off-leash. Many Needham dogs are going--with the help of their humans--to dog parks in neighboring towns, such as Dedham, Newton and Brookline.

There are some residents working to change that.

Mike Verdun, a Precinct F Town Meeting Member, told Patch that he feels the project has hit the 50 percent mark. They have the blessings of the Board of Selectmen and School Committee--the latter group has control of the land in question--and fundraising efforts have begun. 

"We're more than 50 percent across the goal line" explained Verdun, "we just have to do a fundraiser."

Ultimately, the park will be built on a half-acre at the old Nike missile site, near Needham Community Farms. Verdun says the Dog Park needs to raise Around $25,000 to become a reality. Between donations from residents and a $1000 check from the Highland Animal Hospital, the park has a little under $5000 right now. 

He added that most of the contributions to the fund so far are coming from dog owners who have to go out of town to visit dog parks. 

The money will go to preparing the site, putting down a layer of wood chips, and putting up a steel fence. Fences will split the park up into areas for dogs of different sizes, and allow dogs to run around off-leash in an entirely fenced-in area. Some of this work is expected to be done by volunteers. 

"If done correctly, this will be a great community project," said Verdun.

Verdun explained that he got on the project after becoming a Town Meeting Member. Neighbors in his precinct asked him about starting an off-leash dog park. Soon after that, then School Committee member Bill Paulson (also a Patch Blogger) joined, and Selectman John Bulian got on board shortly after that. 

Depending on fundraising efforts, the park could be open as soon as the fall--if the money comes in quickly. Otherwise, the Dog Park group expects to open next spring. 

When the site first opens, it will be available only to Needhamite pets. However, after the park is established, organizers expect to open it to out-of-town pets. 

The next meeting for the Off-Leash Dog Park is on July 23, at the Prudential Real Estate office. A few representatives from the Community Farm have come to Dog Park meetings, Verdun says he expects the two organizations will be good neighbors.

Representatives from the Needham Off-Leash Dog Park will be also interviewed on the Needham Channel later this week.

Donation forms and other information on the Needham Dog Park website. For more updates, you can also follow the Needham Dog Lovers group on Facebook.