Swampscott residents propose dog park

SWAMPSCOTT – An ad hoc group of residents could be ready to present plans for a proposed dog park to selectmen within the next month.Farragut Road resident Marc Eichler said there appears to be a lot of support in town for a dog park and last spring there was some preliminary discussion at a selectmen meeting.Selectman Anthony Scibelli said the issue was put on the agenda last May after he was contacted by Eichler and several other residents regarding the need for a dog park in town.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said the group is looking at the space where Kids Cove used to be located.”They have put together a pretty comprehensive proposal,” Maylor said.Maylor said because the area is recreational space he believes the selectmen have the authority to approve a dog park and the issue would not have to go before Town Meeting.”If the park were located in an existing open space the use of that space is essentially unchanged,” he said. “My interpretation is the Board of Selectmen could approve it.”Scibelli said there appears to be some support for the proposal.”Dogs are not allowed on the beaches from May 20 through late fall,” he said “There is an interest in finding a place for dog owners to take their dogs. I think a dog park would help keep dogs off the beaches.”Eichler said it is important to have a place to go other than the beach.”The beach is off limits to dogs in the summer,” he said. “But even when the beach is open to dogs in the off season not everyone wants to take their dogs to the beach every day. It’s important to have an alternative.”Eichler pointed out dogs are social animals and most veterinarians agree canines need time off the leash to socialize with other dogs.”It helps reduce aggression when canines have the opportunity to interact with other canines,” he said. “It is important for them socially and it would give dog owners an opportunity to socialize with each other. Dog parks help build a sense of community.”Eichler said most dog owners are responsible and he believes dog owners would clean up after their dogs in a dog park.”It angers me as a dog owner when other people don’t pick up after their pets,” he said. “I think a dog park would help resolve some of these problems. Dog owners would be able to police themselves.”Several area communities already have designated areas for dogs including Salem and Nahant.