Dog owners treasure NARA

To the editor:

I have attended the Board of Selectmen meetings on May 7 and June 4 but did not feel I had anything different to add to the discussion about the new leash law at NARA Park. I truly wish I had spoken freely about how much I have enjoyed taking my dogs to NARA Park over the past many years. As a resident of Nagog Woods since 1988 and without children, my dogs are my family. We enjoy walking thru the Town Forest daily and over to NARA Park for a swim and for socializing with our “doggie” friends. I have met many nice people and dogs and have treasured the time spent at Nara Park.

 I have pictures and videotape of the good times spent at NARA Park with my dogs who have passed on and with my present dogs. Unfortunately now, my younger dog, now 14 months, is not going to have the benefit of frolicking and swimming free at NARA Park. We have started to go to Stow conservation area off of Bradley Lane where there is a running river, very small pond, a lot of wet land and beautiful trails. We have also tried the pond behind the firehouse in Acton. Nothing compares to NARA Park and the openness one feels while there. 

The most recent meeting left me with an empty feeling, I didn’t even stay to speak with the other dog people. It started out so positive with a compromise of off leash times sounding acceptable to all parties and ended with no change in the current policy. Selectmen need to know that residents who own dogs treasure the time spent outdoors especially at a place like NARA Park.

Ellen Crompton

Village of Nagog Woods

Acton