On behalf of the Acton Dog Park Committee, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all who supported our efforts to bring this much-needed project to our Town by attending and voting (at a very late hour) at the June 21 Town Meeting. A big shout-out goes to the awesome members of the Friends of Acton Community Dog Park who worked tirelessly on signs, articles, letters, and publications to raise awareness of the facts at issue. Several local businesses provided products and services with some donating part of costs including Minuteman Press, Loyal Companion and Roche Bros. Town leaders – Select Board Members, our Town Manager and countless committees provided support all along the way, with special thanks and recognition to our (retiring) liaison Joan Gardner. The $21K funds for the required 10% Town Match of the Stanton construction Grant which enables us to afford this project was passed with an overwhelming majority, and the non-binding Citizen’s Petition from the neighbors seeking to have the Select Board remove that funding and somehow find a better site was defeated 130 to 74. While a lot of work, we were glad to participate in this valuable process of town debate and town participation.
Next steps are to continue to work with all in town, including neighbors, on concerns and ideas about this project, to apply for a Stanton Design grant, select a design firm, and to hold a series of public forums to get to a final design. A preliminary design will be used to start the Stanton construction grant process, and upon receiving that grant, construction bids can be sought and work finally begin.
Please watch for updates on this project through the Acton Community Dog Park’s Facebook page and through our website at www.actondogpark.weebly.com. Again, THANK YOU!
Tom Gillispie for the Acton Dog Park Committee