Health & Fitness
Soxie Barks: “Find a Spot for SPOT”
An open letter to the Selectmen from my dog Soxie
An open letter to the Selectmen from my dog Soxie
Dear Selectmen,
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I write because of an item of importance to all the dogs and dog owners of “our fair town”, the proposed dog park known as SPOT (Swampscott Park for Off Leash Time.)
All the dogs that I run with think that this is a great idea and we convinced our owners to try to make it happen. Bless them, because they listened to us (for once) and they have raised nearly $30,000 so far.
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You Selectmen also agreed with us. (Bless you too!). Back in 2010, you approved plans to build a park at Phillips’ Park in the land formerly known as “Kids Cove”. While our owners were raising the funds to landscape that area, they were asked to consider moving to an alternate location that would allow the town more flexibility in the planning of Phillips Park’s stadium improvements. They are nice people (as we dogs know) and so they agreed, since they were promised that SPOT would still be within Phillips Park.
The second location, which was further back in the parking lot, was met by resistance from a handful of meanie NIMBY neighbors. While they do not own the land, they have succeeded in delaying the project.
It was suggested that SPOT move to a third location, behind the Bertram House, which has limitations due to proximity to protected wetlands. Our owners have spent a lot of time gathering data and meeting with Selectmen, the Town Planner, the Department of Public Works and Swampscott’s Conservation Commission to address these issues. They have also researched alternate areas around town for park suitability. In the end, Phillips Park is still the best location for SPOT if it is to be handicap accessible.
It’s important that we dogs have a place to run. My vet has told me to avoid the woods (any place that deer would run) because of my susceptibility to deer ticks and Lyme disease. Soon the dog officer will tell me that I can’t run on the beaches during the summer months. SPOT would be a great place for off leash running. (My owner is too much of a geezer to run at my pace.)
Moreover, a dog park would be a great asset to the town. Just ask the dogs and their owners in towns’ that have them.
Can’t you help find a spot for SPOT?
Soxie
