Needham, Massachusetts doesn’t have a dedicated facility where dogs can run and exercise off-leash. For a town that is home to approximately 3,000 registered dogs, it’s a real shame.
Thankfully, a group of dedicated owners led by Mike Verdun and Bill Paulson are hoping to change that. They and a group of about 10 other passionate dog owners have located a suitable site, the Nike Site, next to Ridge Hill Reservation. The group is now fundraising to establish the park.
$25,000 is needed to establish the facility; the bulk of the money is needed for the fencing, combined with signage and a wood chip base. Double gates will ensure that dogs are kept safe as they enter and exit the park.
‘We’ve talked to other communities in Massachusetts that already have dog park facilities,’ says Bill. ‘We’re confident in our design.’
So far, the group has raised $3,500 – so there’s still a long way to go. If you and your dog benefit from off-leash exercise in your community, maybe you can consider making a small donation to help the dogs of Needham be rewarded with their own dog park.
The Needham Dog Park donation form has all of the instructions you need. And you can follow progress via the Needham Dog Lovers Facebook page.