South Newton Dog Park

Welcome to Supporters of South Newton Dog Park!

South Newton is the only neighborhood in Newton without walkable access to an off-leash dog park. We are a group of residents, dog owners, and neighbors who have been working for over two years to change that. Join us in making Memorial Field at Oak Hill Park the home of South Newton's first fully fenced-in dog park.

Take Action Today

Every signature and email directly influences the city's decision.

1. Sign Our Petition

2. Send Email to City Officials

Our neighborhood dogs are counting on you! Send us your dog's photo or reach out with questions at [email protected]

We have yard signs! Contact us at [email protected] if you'd like one for your home or business. The more signs in our neighborhood, the stronger our message to the city.

Common Concerns & Responses

Parking — Most residents will walk or roll to the park. Ample street parking exists in every direction. Newton dog parks generally do not have dedicated parking.
Traffic — Newton limits dog park access to licensed residents, naturally limiting outside traffic. Dog parks in Newton are not busy enough to cause traffic jams.
Noise — Dogs at play are quieter than children on the playground or summer camp. Newton's noise ordinance applies equally to dogs and people.
Heavier Use — Parks are meant to be used. Peak usage at Newton dog parks is 10 to 15 dogs at a time.
Safety — A fully fenced park with double-gate entry is safer than the current situation, where dogs already use the field off-leash informally. Dog parks exist without incident near playgrounds and schools throughout Newton.
Mixed Use — The dog park would use just a small portion of the 3 acre field. Over 2 acres remain for other activities. Dog parks coexist with playgrounds and athletic fields throughout Newton and Brookline.
Accessibility — The flat site and city-maintained paths are wheelchair accessible. Multiple path connections make it more accessible than any alternative site.
Dog Waste — The city will add waste barrels cleaned regularly. Owners are expected to clean up, as they already do on our sidewalks.
Proximity to Houses — Every dog park in Newton is near homes: Cabot, McGrath, Walker, and Hunnewell.
Why not Nahanton or Saw Mill Brook? — Nahanton is only accessible by car and subject to traffic jams. Saw Mill Brook is on a busy street, adjacent to rare-species woodland, and not centrally located.
Cost to Taxpayers — Zero. Construction and maintenance are funded entirely by dog license fees, which can only be used for dog-related costs.
Why this location? — Newton Parks & Recreation confirmed at multiple public meetings that Memorial Field is the best viable location. Oak Hill Park is Newton's most underserved neighborhood for off-leash access.

Our Goal

South Newton is the only Newton neighborhood without walkable access to a fenced, off-leash dog park — and Oak Hill Park is the furthest point in the city from any existing off-leash space. Many families lack yards large enough for adequate dog exercise, and the community has no shared space for dogs to play safely.Our goal is simple: establish a permanent, fenced off-leash dog park at Memorial Field in Oak Hill Park. The field is centrally located, accessible by foot from dozens of surrounding streets, insulated from traffic, and already the natural gathering place of our community. Parking is not a concern — most visitors will walk or roll in.We have been organizing for over two years. The city is now moving forward with a pilot program — and we are fighting to ensure Memorial Field becomes the permanent home of South Newton's dog park.

FAQ

Question: Why the need for a dog park?
Answer: In all of Newton, there are only three fully fenced-in dog parks. They are all a 10-15 minute drive from Oak Hill Park. We deserve better!
This park will offer a safe, clean, and inclusive space for owners & pets to exercise and socialize, fulfilling a vital need in our community. There are dozens of dogs just in our area of Newton.
Further, dog parks are an area of high sociability among humans as well, and are a wonderful place to gather and meet neighbors.Question: How can I support the dog park?
Answer: Sign our petition, send an email to city officials, or contact us at [email protected]. Every action counts.Question: Where will the park you are promoting be located? Why not somewhere else in South Newton?
Answer: This park is located smack in the middle of one of the most dense areas of South Newton. Memorial Field at Oak Hill Park is uniquely suited for a dog park, given the small residential lots, underused parkland, and access from multiple pathways. Walkability and community-centered design are both important. Some proposed alternatives are nowhere near anyone's house, resulting in decreased use and forcing people to drive to get there. Others are next to MBTA bus stops on busier roads.
That being said, we also think there should be more fenced-in dog parks around Newton! It is a resource our city needs and our citizens deserve. But let's start with this one!Question: Who owns the field?
Answer: The City of Newton owns the field.Question: Who can use the dog park?
Answer: Any dog owners in Newton with an off-leash tag can use the dog park. Dog walkers will be able to use the park as well, with restrictions on the number of dogs per person allowed. These rules are enforced by Newton's Parks Department.Question: Will the park be safe for dogs and the community?
Answer: Yes. The dog park will be fully fenced, with secure gates to ensure dogs cannot run out. Rules will likely be posted at the entrance and inside the park to guide responsible use. Like any public space, safety also depends on responsible pet ownership — owners are expected to have Newton licensing, supervise their dogs at all times, ensure they are vaccinated, and address any concerning behavior right away.Question: How will the park be kept clean?
Answer: A dog waste barrel will be added and the City's dog park funds will be used to cover the removal of waste and general maintenance. Dog owners will be expected to clean up after their pets, as they already do on our sidewalks and pathways!Question: How is the dog park being funded?
Answer: All the funds collected by the city for Dog License (on leash and off leash) can only be used for dog-related costs. As there are a limited number of resources aimed at canine ownership in Newton, there are enough funds to build and maintain this small fenced in area.Question: Can the city build a dog park here, given the proximity to a school?
Answer: The City of Newton has an agreement that the school has "unimpeded access" to the playground until 5pm. A dog park would not impede their access to the playground, but would allow neighbors to take full advantage of this large, shared open space. Sharing is caring!Question: What will the dog park look like (design, size, etc)?
This is the exciting part! We have spoken with the city and currently, the proposed solution is a triangle at the back corner of the field, approximately 0.3 acres out of the total 3 acres of Memorial Field. A tiny amount of space, but like we said — sharing is caring!
For the design, the park would be a fully fenced-in area with two gates (to allow for safe entry / exit), grass, seating and shade. The additional fence means more trees and plantings could be added, cooling and protecting both the dog park and the adjacent field! There could also be separate areas for small & big dogs.Question: What about noise?
Answer: This has been a park for more than 50 years; noise laws do not go away just because of a dog park. People can make noise, too—nobody has advocated for the closure of the park because of the sporadic use by people!Question: What about traffic?
Answer: Parks are meant to be used, not sit empty and underutilized by our community. Some small increase in cars parking near the pathways may happen, but many nearby residents will walk, and thankfully we do not have a problem with a lack of on-street parking or traffic jams in Oak Hill Park.Question: How will people get to the park? What about parking?
Answer: Many Oak Hill Park residents already walk to the field daily. It is a 10 minute walk from the furthest point of Oak Hill Park.
For drivers, there is street parking available at the intersections of Wiswall & Chinian Path, Wiswall & Kerr Path, Wiswall & Shumaker Path, Hanson & Osborne Path, Hanson & O'Rourke Path, Van Roosen & Osborne Path, Colella & Early Path, and along Stein Circle. All are less than a one minute walk from the field. This is similar or better than other dog parks in Newton and a completely normal setup for such a resource.Question: What about private use by organizations such as sports groups?
Answer: There is definitely a solution to this! As mentioned, this is a public field and private groups are just one type of user. The city should ensure that all of the citizens and folks who could use this field are being heard and their needs addressed.
Brookline shares its fields with dog owners and other users. The field is also large enough to easily be subdivided so that all residents can use it, regardless if they are a member of a youth organization, a family with children looking to use a playground or grassy area, or dog owners without children!Question: When will the park be open?
Answer: Like all dog parks in Newton, it will be open during normal park hours year-round.

Thank you

Thank you so much for visiting and supporting the creation of a fenced-in dog park for our community!