A group of two dozen residents attended Tuesday evening's New Bedford's Dog Park Committee meeting at the Buttonwood Park Senior Center to take one last look at the final design proposal for the city's first dog park. 

No major concerns were raised during the brief meeting, though there were some attendees that were hung up on some rules and regulations that have yet been addressed. That will be up to the Friends of the Dog Park Committee that will be established in the coming weeks.

One concern was the admittance of non-residents to the park. Robert suggests since neighboring communities exclude city-residents from beaches and other recreational facilities, the city should do the same.

"If you want to come here, hey open it up to everybody, but open up your own facilities to us," said Robert. "That's the biggest issue I have."

Mary Rapoza, director of the Department of Parks Recreation & Beaches, suggested offering short-term passes to non-residents. City residents will be able to purchase a key pass that will gain them access through the park's gate after proving their canine is up-to-date on shots and vaccinations. A fee has not yet been set.

Other features of the park, to be located on Hathaway Boulevard between Greenwood and Ruggles Streets, will include on-site parking, separate play areas for small and large dogs and an easily maintained peastone surface.

Construction is expected to begin this summer and the park should be open to local four-legged friends early next year.

Funding for the construction of the park has been awarded to the city from the Boston-based Stanton Foundation.

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