Friends of Woonsocket Dog Park
City Council Meeting - February 17, 2025
Entrance Safety & Accessibility
One of the biggest concerns we’ve identified is the safety of the park’s entrance. Currently, the area consists of grass and mud, which creates unsafe and difficult conditions for both dogs and their owners—particularly during wet or winter weather. While temporary mats were placed at the entrance, they have since sunk into the ground and are no longer effective.
To address this, we would like to propose a long-term solution: pouring concrete at the entrance. This would create a stable and accessible entryway, reducing mud, improving traction, and ensuring a safe walking area year-round. Additionally, a concrete surface would help mitigate gate malfunctions caused by ice and snow buildup, ensuring that the gates close securely at all times.
Safer, more functional benches
Another issue we would like to address is the need for 4 new benches within the park. The current benches have large gaps between the slats, which pose a serious risk to dogs. If a dog jumps up or missteps, their legs or paws can slip through, causing injuries. In fact, my own French Bulldog got stuck, injuring her leg and shoulder, and it was extremely difficult to free her.
We would like to explore replacing these benches with safer alternatives, designed with dog-friendly features that prevent injuries while still providing a comfortable resting area for owners.
Maintenance
