WHO WE ARE:

The Cabot Woods Canines Off-Leash Groups is a group of Newton residents who are working with our community and the City of Newton, Massachusetts in order to get Cabot Woods / Edmands Park approved as an off-leash area for dog walking. We are committed to responsible dog walking, both on and off-leash to make Cabot Woods enjoyable for all residents. And while we are in favor of making Cabot Woods an off-leash area, we are also aware that there are differing opinions on this issue. We are committed to working with everyone in the community and soliciting the broadest range of opinions as we move through this process.

REASONS WHY OFF-LEASH WALKING IS DESIRABLE IN CABOT WOODS

The enjoyment of walking and playing with dogs. Many people find trail hiking with a dog to be relaxing and an important part of their leisure time. Some dog owners enjoy getting their daily exercise by walking or running with their dogs off-leash.
Some dog breeds require more intensive exercise off-leash and a place to run and smell their surroundings
There are currently no parks in Newton with wooded trails where people can walk their pets off-leash. Other comparable communities in our area, like Wellesley, Weston, Cambridge, and Lexington allow off-leash activity and have options for off-leash trail hiking.
Many of the current off-leash dog parks in the City of Newton are very small. Cabot Woods is a significantly larger area with hiking trails, which allows for more space between dogs which, in turn, allows both owners and dogs to get more exercise.
Allowing dogs off-leash provides a space for older residents and residents with disabilities, who may be unsteady on their feet, to safely walk their dogs. It is difficult and potentially dangerous to walk dogs on-leash while at he same time using assistive devices like canes, walking poles, or motorized devices.

WHY DO THIS NOW:

For decades, Newton residents have walked their dogs off leash in Cabot Woods. When Newton began designating off-leash areas, Cabot Woods was not included. Nevertheless, many people continued to walk their dogs off-leash. In the past, Newton Animal Control officers would only infrequently come to the park and hand out warnings to remind dog walkers of the leash law but follow up was rare. This was the status quo up until 2023.
In May 2023, the City began intensively enforcing the leash law, first with warnings and then following with citations and fines for off-leash dogs. Unlike previous years, this enforcement has not abated. After discussions with city officials, it is evident that Newton plans to continue this policy of intensive enforcement in Cabot Woods.
As a result, although some owners have chosen to continue walking their dogs off leash at the risk of receiving a fine, many others dog owners have chosen to stop going to Cabot Woods altogether. This has created a noticeable decrease in park usage.