At the latest Parks and Recreation Committee meeting, member Karin Ernst offered a fresh update on the ongoing discussions surrounding the future of the Coffin School property, including its potential use as the site of a new town dog park. While redevelopment plans for the historic site remain fluid, Ernst emphasized that the location is still “in the running” as town officials continue to evaluate options.
Ernst reported that she recently toured the Coffin School property with representatives from the dog park community. The group reviewed the parcel stretching from Turner Road down to Shepherd Avenue, an area of roughly half an acre — about twice the size of the town’s current dog park footprint.
The team’s goal was to determine whether the property’s layout and size could support a modern dog park that meets recommended best-practice standards. Although Massachusetts has no formal regulations for dog parks, professional guidance generally suggests a minimum of .5 acre, a threshold the Coffin School site would meet.
While the site remains under consideration, Ernst stressed that the situation is preliminary. The town could ultimately decide not to pursue a dog park at Coffin School, depending on how broader redevelopment plans evolve. She noted that officials have not yet issued any public request for proposals or similar actions that would define how the property will be used.
There has been community speculation that the redevelopment could include housing or mixed-use components, but Ernst clarified that any such plans remain informal and conceptual at this stage. What she has heard so far suggests that not all of the property would be dedicated to housing, leaving room for open-space uses.
The committee briefly discussed potential neighborhood feedback. The site borders several residential properties — one on Shepherd Avenue and several along Susan Road. Ernst pointed out that residents already walk their dogs informally on the property, and unless complaints are being filed, that may indicate a level of comfort with current use. Even so, she emphasized that neighborhood outreach will be essential, but only once the dog park is a more concrete possibility.
“It’s premature to approach the neighbors until we have a good shot at this,” she noted.