Date: December 11th, 2009

[cross-posted from http://groups.google.com/group/somdog-discussion]

Dear Friends of Somerville Dogs,

If you enjoy walking or hiking together with your dog on the trails of the Middlesex Fells or socializing your dog with other dogs in the Sheepfold, write today to request that the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) include safe and legal options for off-leash recreation in the Middlesex Fells Trail System Plan:

Middlesex Fells Trail Plan
136 Damon Rd
Northampton, MA 01060
Paul.jahnige@state.ma.us

This is an opportunity for dog owners to make a strong case for the need for opportunities to enjoy the benefits of socializing and exercising our dogs off-leash without breaking the law, without interfering with other park users' enjoyment of the Fells and without threatening wildlife habitats.

The Somerville Dog Owners Group's goal is, before the end of the year, for ten Somerville Dog Owners to send letters in support of legal options for off-leash recreation at Sheepfold and/or on the trails of the Middlesex Fells. Please let us know if you send (or have sent) a letter!

You may wish to respond to some of all of the following questions, offered by the DCR as a guide for the kind of input that is especially helpful at this stage in the process.

• How do you (and your family) use the trails at the Middlesex Fells? (i.e. what parts of the Fells; how often; what kinds uses; what times of day, week and year; etc.)
• What would you describe as some of the highlights of the Fells trail system? (i.e. what scenic, natural or cultural resources and destinations are important to you?)
• What would you describe as some of the problems with the trail system at the Fells that affect your trail experience there?
• Can you describe the “recreational experience(s)” that you find most enjoyable at the Fells? (This might include the level of difficulty, interaction with other users, length of the use, type of use, etc. Feel free to write about your best Fells experience.)
• If you could make three changes in the Fells trail system, what would they be?
• What other comments would you like us to consider as we develop our trail system plan for the Middlesex Fells?
More information is available online:

Middlesex Fells Trail System Plan FAQ <http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/materials/Fells%20FAQs.pdf>;

Invitation for Public Input and Guiding Questions <http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/greenwaysfellsusersurvey.htm>;

DCR’s Trail Guidelines and Best Practices Manual <http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/greenway/docs/DCR_guidelines.pdf>;

Please support The Middlesex Fells Dog Owner Group (FellsDOG)! <http://www.fellsdog.org/>;

Happy Holidays!

Cheers,
Michele
with Strummer (Standard Poodle)