Somerville officials and residents eyeing more dog parks

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) remains open to designating off-leash dog parks in the Middlesex Fells, according to an agency spokesperson, after the Somerville Board of Aldermen passed a resolution to that effect last week.

"DCR is currently looking into the possibility of off-leash areas at a number of state parks and facilities across the Commonwealth, and the Middlesex Fells will certainly be part of that discussion," DCR spokesperson Wendy Fox said in an email. "This agency does appreciate how popular the idea of off-leash areas is among dog owners."

Fox added that the only state-controlled off-leash park near Somerville is on the Brakeheart Reservation in Saugus. The park is called the "Bark Place."

The city currently operates off-leash parks at Nunziato Field and the Edward L. Leathers Community Park.

City spokesman Tom Champion said that Mayor Joseph Curtatone "is committed" to opening more off-leash parks, but options are limited since only about 3 percent of Somerville is designated as open space.

Michele Biscoe, chairperson of som/dog, a local group pushing for more off-leash parks, said that at least 11 dog owners who have written letters to the DCR asking the agency to let pooches run free in the Fells.

"There's a real opportunity for momentum to [see] some changes in the state parks system," Biscoe said.

There are currently 1,451 dog licenses issued to Somerville residents, according to city records.