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July 20, 2006

Downtown Lowell and Dogs

by at 4:50 pm.

I can tell Lowell is changing. In all of my years living in this City, I have never seen so many people downtown taking their dogs for a morning walk prior to dashing off to work. There must a dozen or so every morning. And the dogs come in all sizes and shapes. Some are walking more than one dog.

These must be the new residents who have moved in the condos and are helping reshape and rejuvenate the City. They are welcome but their dogs are another story.

I do not think downtown Lowell is dog friendly. Also, are those condos large enough for a dog to roam as nature intended?

What concerns me the most is that these dog lovers are not carrying pooper scoopers; not even a plastic bag. So where does men’s best friend go to do what is required of them? There is not that much grass area.

I know that the downtown neighborhood association had some discussion about a public park for their children but they also need to work on a dog park.

11 Responses to “Downtown Lowell and Dogs”

  1. Mike Says:

    Canal Place III for one has a nice looking box outside of the building that supplies bags for pooper scooping. Maybe get a few more of those put around downtown.

  2. Eleanor Rigby Says:

    I for one have an 80lb dog, and believe it or not a very small bag (I use a brand called
    “Clean Go Pet Doggy Waste Bag”) It is blue and about the size of a sandwich bag. It is scented *believe it or not
    it counteracts the “other” scent* and fits nicely into your pocket.

    So, to say folks are walking their dogs downtown without pooper scoopers, is a stretch. I don’t bring
    those tall scappers and brooms with me either!

    BTW, for folks who don’t know, you turn the bag inside out and put your hand into it, then pick
    up the poop, turn it right side in and tie it up! No mess, no fuss, everyone’s happy except the
    people who just saw a dog walking on a sidewalk :-)

  3. Zabelli's Walker Says:

    A dog park in the city would be a very welcome addition. We used to take our two beauties up to the Reservoir on Christian Hill. It’s fenced and not really used by many. The dogs could run freely and be safe. Signs have since gone up and we can’t do that any more. The city should re-consider the Res as a dog park. It’s not suitable for a ball park and dog owners all respected pedestrians.

    How ’bout it Lowell?

  4. Mike Says:

    Lowell can’t afford pools for kids, I don’t think a park for dogs is going to get a top priority.

  5. Bob Says:

    More dogs = more pedestrians at all hours = lower crime, better quality of life, and higher property values. An investment in a dog park will make the city safer and a nicer place to live far more efficiently than if the same money were spent on, for example, additional police. Ask New York City — they can’t build dog parks fast enough, because they discovered how compelling the above equation is.

  6. pete the pirate Says:

    i’ve seen those nyc dog parks, thats a great idea. my dog is a 90lb’er and those market basket bags come in handy.

  7. K-R-S Says:

    In ref. to Zabelli’s comment…From what I recollect, the reason folks aren’t allowed to walk and toilet their dogs at the res. is because of thfact that very few people were actually “cleaning ” up after their dogs and it was never truly defined as a “dog” park. With
    dogs running unrestrained along with children playing can present a problem.
    But I do agree with Bob’s premise, if there were a designated area available as a “dog park”.
    I have a 13 lb Shih Tzu, snack bags work fine for her! : )

  8. Renee Says:

    The res would be a good spot for it. I think the city would have to make sure that the fence is secure though, and make it clear that the park isn’t design for people. Have you ever seen an older child try to ride his bike down the res! Not safe at all.

  9. K-R-S Says:

    Just a thought on Dog Parks…we’ve been looking at the old dump off of Westford St., as a site for recreational purposes..Why not utuilize it for this purpose?

  10. JAX Says:

    A couple members of CNAG are discussing with city officials the idea of converting the First Street Park into a dog park. As soon as they have an official meeting about it, they will pursue the backing of the downtown groups as well, because it’s in walking distance for them as well.
    The First Street Park is never used and the old tennis courts can easily be converted into the parking area. (it’s the stretch of City owned land by the Hunts Fall Bridge with the Giant Candy Canes). This is ideal for noise control, because it is buffered by the VFW on one side, and the Merrimac River on the other.

  11. Felicia Says:

    As a downtown owner of a small-sized dog with, a dog run would be very welcomed. Seems to me that South Common could accommodate a secure fenced in area and is in easy walking distance of new downtown residents.

    It be nice, if I didn’t have to bundle the pooch up into the car and drive to a safe location.

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