March 31, 2005

Mr. Tom Gumbart, Conservation Director

Lincoln Conservation Commission

Lincoln, MA

Dear Mr. Gumbart,

I was extremely saddened to learn about the new restrictions placed on dog owners at Mount Misery. I recently had a baby and I also have two big, friendly dogs. Everyday during my pregnancy I took my dogs to Mount Misery and we experienced nature and exercised together. Now that my daughter is 6 months old I continue to take her and the dogs to Mount Misery on a regular basis. As any mother will tell you it is hard to do it all but letting my dogs walk off leash allows me to carry my baby or push her in a stroller on the trials. The new strict lease law really compromises the quality of walks I can enjoy with my family.

In all the time I have spent at Mount Misery with my dogs we have never been involved in any type of negative altercation. My dogs have never hurt any human or animal while walking off leash at Mount Misery. I've only had positive experiences there and my entire family (including my dogs) enjoys the beauty and serenity found inside those woods. I want my daughter to continue to experience these woods in this way.

We live in a society with domestic animals; it is our responsibility to care for these animals and to give them the proper exercise and access to nature they require to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Ask any dog owner if a walk on a leash is at all comparable to an off leash experience on a beautiful piece of land, safe from cars and other dangers, and I'm sure they would all agree it isn't even close. Dogs, just like humans, should be allowed to experience our land in a natural way.

There are better, more positive ways to find a solution to the dog issues at Mount Misery. Please try and consider gentler alternatives and let people and animals continue to enjoy this land together.

Sincerely,

Sarah Hazel

45 Oxbow Road

Concord, MA 01742t