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Ashland - Local Town Pages

Ashland Bark Park Invites Community Support

Nov 30, 2020 11:55AM ● By Cara Tirrel

Ashland Dog Park Committee volunteers have continued to work tirelessly for the past three years to bring Ashland Bark Park to fruition. In February 2020, the Ashland Select Board voted 5-0 to allocate two acres of land. These two acres are Parcel #13-138, located at Memorial Drive (previously known as the MBTA access road), and in true Massachusetts fashion, down the street from the Dunks on the corner of 135.

Next steps include applying for The Stanton Grant, which provides funding for both the “bid ready documents for a contractor” design and hard construction costs (labor and material). “As part of its mission of encouraging positive dog/human relationships, the Stanton Foundation supports the development of enclosed dog parks in Massachusetts cities and towns. This support takes the form of a series of grants to support park design, park construction, and capital improvements in parks supported by the Foundation.” (thestantonfoundation.org) For an example of a Stanton Grant Foundation-funded park, see Fido of Natick/Eddie’s Park (fidoofnatick.com).

The Foundation requires the committee to work hand in hand with the town’s procurement officer and Assistant Town Manager Jenn Ball, who will be the direct contact with the foundation. In order to obtain the design grant.

Foundation contributions include design, construction and capital improvement grants.

The community, Ashland, is required to contribute the land and infrastructure, all “soft costs” associated with park building, including bond, contingency, overhead, insurance, and other miscellaneous items not fairly categorized as “labor and materials,” and ongoing park maintenance. 

The Ashland community can support the dog park by making tax-deductible donations to Ashland Bark Park, 3 Hilldale Rd., Ashland 01721, and online. Organizers are participating in a fundraiser with Doragon Ramen and holding an Ashland Dog Park Holiday Fundraiser. When residents contribute $100 or more, they will be entered into a raffle to win holiday-themed dog bundles for pets. The fundraiser ends on Dec. 20. Visit https://www.ashlandbarkpark.org.