KENT—The Park and Recreation Commission has tabled the possible construction of a dog park, saying that any group interested in such a facility should bring a proposal to the board.
Park and Recreation member Heidi Wilson said at its Sept. 16 meeting that approximately 300 to 350 dogs are licensed each year.
She also looked into potential costs for the park, finding that at least a half acre of land would be needed and that fencing would cost about $16,000.
Two enclosures would be created for large and small animals.
“You would need driveway access and the site would have to be cleared of trees and would need to be flat,” Wilson said. “The site needs to be accessible, and then there is parking and signage. It’s kind of a big job.”
In addition to the cost of construction, there would be continuing costs for waste removal and provisions for baggies to clear up dog poop.
Although a dog owner, herself, she admitted she was no fan of dog parks.
“I would imagine in a town like Kent most people have acreage [around their homes],” she said. “Some people might enjoy the socialization of a park, but it is a really big cost for construction when you consider we already have [projects with] big numbers elsewhere.”
Selectman Lynn Mellis Worthington, an ex-officio member of the commission, asked where the park might be located.
Busse said it could be on town-owned land at Emery Park or South Commons, “but we don’t have a specific location.”
He added that the town could face liability if a dog bit another animal or an owner.
Additionally, the park could not be restricted to just Kent residents, although he said larger fees could be charged for non-residents.
“How many people are actually interested?” asked Worthington. “How much will it be a drain on your time, Matt? I don’t think this is something that can operate without personnel. If there is a group in support of this, they should come up with a plan. We already have a lot of irons in the fire.”
In other business, Busse reported that use of TeamReach by residents to organize drop-in sessions for pickleball has been successful. The program allows people who want to organize games to reach out to other players to organize times and teams. He asked for permission to create drop-in sessions for walking, kickball and tennis.
He monitors the site to see who has registered and the groups’ activities.
Park and Rec board members were in favor of the expansion, but suggested that when people register they should be asked to sign a legal waiver that would include an emergency contact number.
Busse said that the ski and board sessions at Mohawk Mountain will begin Jan. 8 and continue into February. This year the program will be available at a reduced rate to adults as well as children. Lessons will be available Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. for those 6 years and older.
It was reported that this year’s late summer and fall concert series has been well received.
“We had good weather in August and September and people are liking that we are having them now,” he said.
A picnic competition has promoted creativity among attendees and people have “literally brought coffee tables and lights,” he reported. “It’s amazing to date.”
Wilson suggested that time estimates be put on topics for discussion at future meetings to speed up action.
“It would give people an idea of how long the meetings would be,” Chairman Rufus P. de Rham said. He said he did not want to limit discussion but that some items—such as minutes reviews—could be done in advance.
“We should try it,” he concluded. “I don’t want people to feel they don’t have time to get their opinions out, but we should get to the point and go from there.”
The board agreed to a pilot camping program at Emery Park and Busse will reach out to organizations that might be interested in a camp out to see how it works. The organizations would be required to provide their own food-storage container to dissuade visits by bears.
Finally, it was asked that a volunteer give five hours to assist Busse in such activities as social media to free him up for other tasks.
