Barrett off-leash dog program

Seven-year resident argued the five weekly off-leash hours are the only safe grass option for Belmont's thousands of dogs and raised concerns about chemicals at the Cipriani dog park.

Resident since 2000 asked the commission to keep the 7-8 a.m. hours, saying five hours a week isn't enough, and noted the rough DG surface hurts dogs' paws at Cipriani.

Daily user said the morning program produced a well-socialized dog and argued a well-exercised dog is a quieter, better neighbor; urged sharing the multi-use field rather than eliminating access.

30-year resident recounted lobbying a decade to reopen the field, described the self-policing culture dog owners built, and said the large field size reduces dog conflicts.

Called the field a true community center where neighbors know each other through their dogs, and asked for more hours and big-dog space in any future Barrett rebuild.