Divisions & Programs

Off Leash Dog Areas

Dedicated Off Leash Areas
Shared Use Off Leash Areas
Also of Interest
For More Information

There has been increased interest expressed by the public in providing legal opportunities for dogs to be off leash in certain City parks and public open spaces, and the City has been working with residents to explore additional opportunities for dogs with their owners to be off leash.

Staff from the Community Development Department, Department of Public Works, City Manager’s Office, Historical Commission, Department of Human Services Programs, and the Animal Commission, have been working with City Council members, and a group of residents to come up with strategies to for creating new off leash opportunities for dogs. There are two approaches currently being taken: Dedicated off-leash areas and shared use off leash areas.

Dedicated Off Leash Areas (Commonly Referred to as Dog Runs)

Dedicated off leash spaces are specific areas where the primary use is to allow dog owners to have their dogs off leash. These areas are generally fenced in to avoid potential conflicts with other users or passerby, and facilitate the containment of the dog. In Cambridge, dedicated off leash areas may be a park or part of a park or other public open space.

There is a dedicated off leash area at the Pacific Street Park in the Cambridgeport neighborhood. There is another dedicated off leash area planned for a portion of Danehy Park closest to the New Street parking lot. The process of establishing both of these off leash areas included public meetings with neighbors and park users. Construction of the Danehy Park off leash area is anticipated to begin during summer 2008, and last several weeks.

Shared Use Off Leash Areas

Shared use off leash areas are places where dogs are allowed off leash that are not necessarily separated from other uses and activities. Fresh Pond Reservation (West Cambridge) and Fort Washington Park (Cambridgeport) are two examples of shared use areas in Cambridge.

The City is exploring the idea of establishing additional shared use locations that would be available for off leash dogs during certain times only. Similar shared use programs have been undertaken in other cities where open space is very limited as a reasonable way to accommodate dog owners who desire regular periods of time for legal off leash activity. The initial areas considered for additional shared off leash uses were public open spaces that are not a part of school grounds, children’s playgrounds, or heavily used athletic facilities, and by virtue of their layout, would not necessarily require additional fencing or significant physical changes to park grounds. There was also an effort to distribute the potential spaces geographically throughout the City.

In Spring 2008, the City began a series of meetings regarding establishing a Shared Use Pilot Program at five parks throughout the City. These meetings have focused on getting information and feedback from nearby residents, park users and dog owners on the general idea, and also the appropriate times, seasons, locations, and other considerations to take into account for such a program. There have been meetings regarding Gold Star Mother’s (Gore Street) Park in East Cambridge, Corcoran (Raymond Street) Park in Neighborhood 9, Clement Morgan (Columbia Street) Park in Area 4, and Rafferty Park in the Cambridge Highlands. There will be a meeting regarding shared use at the Riverside Press Park in the Riverside neighborhood in the near future.

No decision about establishing the Pilot Program at any of these parks has been made yet. The information gathered from the public will be used to make recommendations the City Manager and City Council in the near future. Please check back at this web site for updates and additional information.

Map of Existing, Planned and Potential Off Leash Areas

Also of Interest

Animal Commission Home Page

For More Information

If you would like to be notified of future meetings or would like more information please contact Taha Jennings at 617/349-4603 or email at tjennings@cambridgema.gov. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

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