Westborough advances Stanton Foundation‑funded dog park plan at Lyman Street

The Westborough Select Board heard a site‑plan presentation and follow‑up questions Tuesday on a proposed dog park at Lyman Street that would be largely paid for by the Stanton Foundation.

Recreation Director Jen Kirkland told the board the park is about 21,000 square feet and that "90% of the project will be funded through the Stanton Foundation." The design includes separate small and large dog areas, a five‑foot perimeter fence, a dual‑gate vestibule to prevent dogs from escaping, water access, dog‑waste receptacles, benches, shade structures and native tree planting. Architect Kyle Zick of KZLA reviewed the layout and said the team submitted construction documents to the conservation commission and MassDEP and received a negative determination, meaning no further state permitting was required for that submission.

Zick said the plan provides 10 parking spaces (nine gravel, one paved ADA space) and a paved sidewalk connection to the public walk. "We have a fenced in vestibule, and then there's a gate for the small dog area and a gate for the large dog," he said, explaining the two‑gate system would meet Stanton Foundation requirements.

Board members raised questions about wetland buffers, stormwater/runoff and slope, the number and location of parking spaces relative to the nearby intersection, whether the shaded seating areas are paved and accessible, and operational responsibilities. Kirkland said recreation would be the primary owner and maintainer of the park with DPW assistance. Members also recommended clear signage and suggested including a QR code on signs linking to policies and reporting procedures; they asked that the design define how the town would report nuisance or safety issues and how enforcement (animal control) would be contacted.

Zick said bid documents could go out later this year with construction as early as this fall, subject to approvals and funding details. The board did not take a vote on the site plan at the Select Board meeting; feedback will be provided to the planning and conservation processes.