Pittsfield Slows Dog Park Proposal For Springside
 The City Council opted to send the proposal to the Parks Commission for more work before approving the dog park. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council is slowing a proposed dog park at Springside Park in the wake of opposition.
The city was given $13,750 from the Stanton Foundation to build a dog park but advocates for Springside Park voiced opposition — instead proposing a master plan be developed first.
On Tuesday, the council sent the petition for the grant to the Parks Commission.
"I would like to see people get back on this and have some more discussions," Councilor at Large Melissa Mazzeo said, before voting in favor of a motion to send it to the Parks Commission.
According to Parks and Open Space Program Manager James McGrath, Springside was identified as a suitable home to a dog park in 2007 by an ad hoc committee. That committee looked at various locations, insurance and designs. However, McGrath said his office made the decision to revisit that and requested that the council follow suit.
"At the end of the day, we want this to work," McGrath said, because the location needs new vetting.
As in 2007, the Springside Park recommendation has drawn ire from park advocates. President of the Hebert Arboretum Elizabeth Kulas asked the council to postpone the dog park until a master planning process is completed.
"We would like such a mechanism, a master plan, in place before approval is given to special interest proposals," Kulas said, adding that such a plan would set the overall vision and a determination on how the dog park could be fit in.
Kulas asked to begin the planning process with meetings with all involved, including the city, the Springside Park Conservancy, the greenhouse group, Hebert Arboretum, Friends of Springside Park, the Morningside Initiative and residents.
Those groups all have envisioned the park becoming a destination and a dog park doesn't match the views of the majority, Kulas said.
 The City Council also approved accepting a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. |
"A master plan would serve as a mechanism for determining whether proposals made for changing the face of Springside Park would work or not for the overall agreed upon vision and plan," she said.
Friends of Springside Park representative Bernie Mack asked for a similar process. Mack said a master plan for the city hasn't been updated since 1963.
Councilor John Krol said while there is support for a dog park, the location needs more vetting.
"There is a desire not to have it at this particular location," Krol said.
In other business, the council accepted a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for a 2014 celebration of the city's industrial past.
The city also approved accepting $650,474 in an insurance award to design and replace the highway garage, which was destroyed in a fire. Councilor Barry Clairmont added that the cost to demolish the former garage on West Housatonic Street will cost about $200,000, an increase from the initial estimate of $95,000.
Tags: city council, dog park, dogs, municipal property, Springside Park,
