Town of Brookline

The Park and Recreation Commission voted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003, to institute the “Green Dog Off-leash Pilot Program” as outlined by Town Meeting.
This pilot program will not go into effect until signage is put in place at all affected areas and a Dogs Off-leash Pamphlet is ready for distribution. (Mid-January, 2004).

HISTORY OF PILOT PROGRAM
The Park and Recreation Commission is a policy-making board that provides year-round indoor and outdoor recreation activities for children and adults, and over-sees park planning, renovations and use.
In May 2003, Town Meeting voted to amend Article 8.6 of the Town’s By-Laws to allow the Park and Recreation Commission to establish designated off-leash areas at specified off-hours, subject to dog owner etiquette and education, public review and annual evaluation. The amendment will expire in June 2005, unless resubmitted to Town Meeting and approved.

GREEN DOG PILOT PROGRAM
Balancing the needs of park users –
Green Dog Off-leash hours and locations have been established following five public meetings where the Park and Recreation Commission heard citizens concerns, expectations and needs pertaining to dogs on and off-leash in public parks. To balance the needs of both dog owners and non-dog owners, the Park and Recreation Commission has established a Pilot Off-Leash Green Dog Program, with designated parks and hours, developed with the following considerations:

Park Size
Historic Areas
Wildlife/Sensitive Areas/Gardens
Passive and Active Uses of the Park
Park Users /Neighbors
Athletic Fields
Distribution of Parks Throughout the Town of Brookline
Impact on Schools and Children

PROGAM SUCCESS DEPENDS
Upon Your Cooperation –
The success of this initiative depends upon compliance with the parameters of the Pilot Program. Although the Brookline police will enforce the by-law, we are hopeful that participants will self-police their parks.
Dog owners and non-dog owners alike want to build a culture of respect and cooperation. Success will require responsible dog owners to galvanize cooperation. There are over 1,500 licensed dogs in Brookline. Please be respectful of your neighbors by practicing unconditional consideration of your fellow park users and dog owners. And remember, IT’S THE LAW! You must pick up after your dog whether on or off-leash. Help keep the parks clean so that dog waste does not negatively impact the public’s perception of the program.

PILOT PROGRAM EVALUATION
Program Expires June 2005 –
To evaluate the overall success of the Green Dog Off-Leash Pilot Program the Park and Recreation Commission will:

Inspect parks to determine compliance;
Seek input from park maintenance crews and police reports;
Survey abutters of participating parks, dog owners and park users; and
Schedule public reports throughout the program’s duration.

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

Dogs are allowed off-leash ONLY in posted off-leash areas. Posted off-leash hours are suspended when a playground is being used for permitted or school-based special events. No off-leash hours when areas are saturated from rain.
Dogs must be leashed when the Park Department Crews are working in the parks.
Dog owners must maintain effective verbal control of their dogs and always be able to see their dogs when off-leash. Dogs who show continued aggression toward people or dogs must be removed immediately. You are personally liable for any damages or injury your dog inflicts or receives.
Clean up after your dog in on-leash and off-leash areas.
Dogs must wear a collar with identification at all times, be licensed and vaccinated, healthy (have no contagious conditions or diseases), and be parasite-free. Dogs must be at least 4 months old to be allowed off-leash.
The number of dogs per person is limited to three.
Dogs in heat shall not be allowed off-leash.
Dogs are not allowed in playground areas, sand boxes and/or hard and clay courts.
Dogs must not chase or disturb wildlife or enter sanctuaries and/or sensitive open spaces (such as gardens).
Dogs must be leashed prior to entering and leaving the off-leash area. Owners shall have a leash visible at all times.
Violators of these rules are subject to removal from the off-leash area and suspension of off-leash privileges.
These rules and regulations pertain only to posted off-leash areas and have no bearing on the present by-law regulations concerning dogs on a leash in non off-leash areas.

SHARE OUR PARKS
With Thousands of Park Users –
Many dog owners enjoy exercising their dogs off-leash. However, not everyone welcomes a dog approaching them, their children or their leashed dog. Because many dog owners consider themselves responsible citizens, they have asked the Park and Recreation Commission to establish off-leash areas so owners can legally run their dog off-leash without impacting other park users.
Being responsible dog owners means ensuring that your dog is licensed, healthy6, safe, well cared for, and does not cause property damage or create a nuisance to other members of the community.
We are all proud of Brookline’s many beautiful and historic parks as they enhance our quality of life. Remember that you are sharing Brookline’s parks with:

55,000 citizens
4,800 athletic team participants
School leagues and teams
Neighborhoods and abutters
Walkers
Leaf peepers
Sun Bathers
Bicyclists

The Park and Recreation Commission has voted to allow off-leash times at the following locations:

Amory Park	Dawn to 1:00 p.m.
Harry Downes Field	Dawn to 1:00 p.m.
Soule Recreation Center	Dawn to 1:00 p.m.
Griggs Park	Dawn to 1:00 p.m.
Robinson Park	Dawn to 9:00 a.m.
Waldstein Park	Dawn to 1:00 p.m.
Warren Park	Dawn to 1:00 p.m.
Daniel Ford Park at Emerson Gardens	Dawn to 9:00 a.m.
Corey Hill Park	Dawn to 9:00 a.m.
Coolidge Park	Dawn to 9:00 a.m.
Schick Park	Dawn to 9:00 a.m.

And to approve the following off-leash dog hours with additional seasonal hours:
Brookline Avenue Park
Dawn to 1:00 p.m., April through November
Dawn to Dusk, December through March
Larz Anderson Park
Dawn to 1:00 p.m., April through November
Dawn to Dusk, December through March

Parks not listed - DO NOT HAVE OFF-LEASH HOURS.

ALL HOURS AND LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE-
PLEASE CHECK SIGNAGE

This pilot program automatically expires June 30, 2005

Town of Brookline
Green Dog Off-Leash Pilot Program
Under supervision of the
Brookline Park and Recreation Commission
133 Eliot Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone (617) 730-2069