Would you like a 2nd dog park in town?

Arlington’s annual town survey, via Vision 2020, is arriving in mailboxes. 

This survey is mailed out with census forms, and the response reflects an effective barometer for residents’ views.Last year, more than 6,000 of the approximately 18,000 Arlington households returned it.

Arlington’s Vision 2020 — a partnership of town residents, leaders and employees — is dedicated to making sure that issues important to Arlington’s future are studied and resolved through a collaborative, fact-based process.

Thanks to Vision 2020 and town recreation, questions related to a dog park were included in the 2016 town survey.

Strong support for a fenced dog park from a survey several years ago helped support building the town’s first fenced dog park, the Thorndike Off-Leash Recreation Area, in spring 2012.

It remains a wonderful resource for dog owners today. 

In this year’s annual survey, you will see questions about whether residents use the current park and whether they would support Arlington creating a second one in another part of town. Additional questions to help assess how such a resource might be funded are:

— How often do members of your household visit the Thorndike off-leash recreation area for dogs?

— Do members of your household believe that fenced off-leash recreation areas are an amenity that enhances the quality of life in a community?

— Would members of your household support Arlington estabilshing a second fenced dog area in another Arlington park?

— Are members of your household more or less likely to support a second fenced park based on the following? (several conditions are listed)

— Would members of your household be willing to pay a reasonable fee to use a dedicated fenced park?