Foxboro Dog Park

[Jessica Kosowski]

We at the Sun Chronicle have noticed that there are varying opinions on a dog park in Foxboro. Continue your lively discussion in this forum.

[anothertownie]

session9, you should get your facts straight. The board of selectman had nothing to do with the opening of this dog park. They do not have the authority to allow a dog park on conservation land, just as they don't have the authority to close a dog park on conservation land. Early in the proccess, when the dog park founders went in front of every board in foxboro, the conservation commission called them and informed them that the section of cocassett river recreational area they wanted to use was conservation land and thus under their control. They told the founders they would have to appear in front of their commission and get their approval and thus the rather lengthy approval proccess began. It was not the BOS.
Conservation land is NOT ment to be used as a "nature preserve". Where did you get that or are you just making it up? Conservation land is ment to preserve open space and the conservation commissions' job is "promote the use of the land". This land was abandoned and neglected. It took over $10,000 of donated funds to clean up the area and make the necessary repair and improvements needed to open the park. The conservation commission has repeatedly said over over that they not only approve of the use of this land as a dog park, but the think it is great use of an otherwise discarded piece of town land.
As far as "private personal funds" being used to fund the pro-park fight, what do you call the money being spent to close the park?? Isn't that private money, or are the BOS secretly funding the Baker et al lawsuit?? Everything done by the conservation commission and the dog park supporters is 100% donated funds. People are passionate when they feel they are being wronged and beleive me, much is wrong with this issue and the majority of the BOS with their handeling of this whole mess. As far as the dog park supporters you say "They don't live in the neighborhood so why should they care!" I believe one of the co-founders of the park is a DIRECT aubutter to the park, get your facts straight. The plaintiffs in Baker et al only have two direct abutters, besides this is a town issue not a neighborhood issue. Some people in Foxboro do things for the good of the whole town not just their individual neighborhoods.

[kate]

how long is this issue going to be haggled over - remember when cocasset river park was crowded with families each summer? how many local kids learned to swim there - and then it was just empty space, going down hill fast. so what if there is a dog park there now - better than not using the property at all! the people against the use of the space will always be against the use of the space - they like not having anything going on there! they should have done some research!! it's like people moving in next to a pasture of horses - oh how pretty they say as they sign on the dotted line....then it's OMG, the smell! the noise!! can't someone do something? i'm sure glad i don't live in foxboro anymore, it looks to be an oligarchy these days!!!