The City is accepting donations for fencing, surface treatments (pea gravel), fixtures (bag dispensers, trash receptacles) for off-leash recreational areas.

Checks payable Somerville Unleashed may be sent to:

Somerville Unleashed
c/o Carlene Campbell, Assistant Director of Personnel
City Hall
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143

For more information about the Somerville Unleashed Revolving Fund, contact Carlene Campbell, (617) 625-6600 x3303, ccampbell at somervillema.gov.

A Brief History

March 30, 2005

At a Community Meeting attended by over seventy citizens, the City of Somerville's Dog Owners Task Force presented a proposal for off-leash recreational areas.

June 9, 2005

The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously (10-0) to amend the Municipal Ordinances to allow dogs off-leash in designated off-leash recreational areas.

June 21, 2005

In the course of the FY '06 Budget deliberations, the Board of Aldermen established the Somerville Unleashed Revolving Fund to receive donations for off-leash recreational areas.

July 14, 2005

The Board of Aldermen again voted unanimously (10-0) to amend the Municipal Ordinances giving the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works the authority to designate off-leash recreational areas with notification to the Board.

Residents in Ward 1 and Ward 2 wanted off-leash recreational areas in their neighborhoods. At community meetings in Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 neighbors had opportunities to discuss a proposed park on Walnut Street (between Medford and Pearl Streets) and the renovation of Perry Park in (on Washington Street, between Dane and Leland Streets). The plans for both projects now include off-leash recreational areas.