THOMASTON — The newly formed Thomaston Dog Park Association is working on constructing a five-acre off-leash dog park located in Thomaston next to the east side of the Village Cemetery. The Thomaston Dog Park Association is an entirely volunteer-run citizen committee responsible for private fundraising and the dog park would be at no cost to taxpayers.

The Thomaston Board of Selectmen will hold a special town meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at the American Legion building on Watts Lane in Thomaston. At that time, Thomaston residents will be asked to vote on the use of the town-owned land for the dog park. Any interested Thomaston and neighboring town residents are encouraged to attend.

Prior to that, a public hearing will be held Oct. 27.

The proposed amenities for the park include an enclosed double-gate entry system with separate areas for large and small or timid dogs, shaded areas for both people and dogs, ample seating, picnic tables, water, bags and rubbish containers for waste. The park offers plenty of space for dogs to run in an open area or walk the nearby trails with their owners.

With the recent closing of the Rockland Dog Park there has been interest in acquiring a centrally located place for dogs and their owners to socialize safely. Dogs, like their humans, are social beings, and most enjoy spending time with their own species, planners said. At a dog park, dogs get to play, practice reading other dogs body language, and work on communication skills. These important interactions help enable them to become comfortable around unfamiliar dogs and people. This is a valuable developmental experience as well as a service to the entire community. 

“Our four-legged friends are not the only ones who benefit from dog parks — we all do,” said planners in a news release. “We get exercise along with our dogs, meet like-minded citizens to share and support dog training and dog care tips, and we make new friends and connections in our community. Having a place for dogs to run free safely and socialize is also a great asset for elderly and physically handicapped persons who are not always able to safely walk their dogs without assistance. In other words, everyone benefits.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ThomastonDogParkAssociation or email thomastondogparkmaine@gmail.com.