USACE flood control project. 200 acre reservoir with 7.2 mile loop trail. 27 hole disc golf course at dam site. Day use park off Oxford Road, boat launch across the street. Dogs allowed on whole project (except sandy beach), on leash. Location: End of Buffums Dam Road. Directions: I-395, exit 4B. Straight at the light, take left on Buffums Dam Road to end.

USACE flood control project. Dry-bed reservoir flood control project with river system (on the French River) and many types of wetlands. Over 20 miles of trails, The Midstate Trail crosses it. Much wildlife to see. No established recreation area. Dogs, on leash allowed on all 600+ acres. Location: End of Howarth Road. Directions: I-395, exit 4B. Straight at the lights, turn right onto Howarth Road to end.

Open Field and Trails – wide and narrow, Hills with brook and some benches. Location: Mower Street off of Pleasant Street. Directions: Follow Pleasant street towards Paxton. Take right at 4th ‘Mower Street’ – There will be a sign on the corner with an arrow saying Boynton Park.

Across from Vet School on Westboro-Grafton line. Most people bring their dogs and let them run off leash. The area is mostly fenced in with openings for entering and exiting; it does run along a main road and Commuter rail tracks so you need to be careful as a dog may run under the fence or through the exits. Location: Rt 30 be the Tufts Vet School. Directions: Rt 30.

Miles of trails and hills, babbling brooks – Beautiful place for off leash fun, bring the children too. There are also porta-pottys in the beginning of the trails with a huge wide open field, picnic tables – bring the hibachi! Lots of doggies off leashes – but make sure they are ok being around horses. Every once in a while you might see one or two. Location: Manning Street – off of Rt. 31. Directions: From Main Street in Holden (122a) Heading north – Take a right onto Highland Street (Rt. 31) follow for a couple of miles (approx) Take a right on Manning Street (convenience store on corner) Follow that for about 2 minutes. You will see the entrance on your left hand side.

Beaches, boat dock your dogs can swim off of, trails through the woods. Off peak hours, there are tons of dogs there playing. During the day when the beach is open you are supposed to have the dogs leashed, but for the most part, in the wooded areas the dogs are off leash.

Wooded trails and big open field at lake. This is a great area for well minded dogs, for there are no fences. Wooded trails lead you to an open field and lake. Location: On Marlboro/Hudson line. On Bolton St. Right before causeway and after Walmart. Right across from the big painted rock. Directions: 495 exit 25. take right onto Rt 85. After Wal-Mart but before causeway.

A beach, lots of wooded trails. Lots of dogs off leash, especially when walking through the woods and over the ‘dam’. Great way to meet lots of dogs along your walk, unleashed. Directions: Rte. 495 to exit 21A to Rte. 135 east. Entrance on right.

Small Beach with few walking trails. Located at Beaver Recreation Area on Beaver St. While there are no signs saying anything about any rules regarding dogs, I’m not sure you’re encouraged to bring your dog here – yet I’ve never had a problem with someone telling me I couldn’t have my dog running on the beach. I limit my visits to off season hours and my dog loves to play in the pond! There are a few walking trails off to the left of the pond that I have yet to explore so I’m not sure how far back they go. Location: Beaver St.

Located at Millwood Road. Over 800 acres of wooded trails and open fields. a pond with a beach-type area where dogs play and swim.

Completely fenced, off-leash dog park. Only open during daylight hours. High secure fence with double gates, benches & poop bags available. Separate area for small dogs to play. Bring your own water. Location: Corner of Cottage & Village Streets. Directions: Rt. 495 to exit 19 Medway to Rt. 109.

Trails ranging from expert terrain to wide and flat make the Delaney Flood Control Area ideal for anyone from kids to the avid outdoorsman to enjoy. The flood control area extends into neighboring Harvard. Boating-non motor, fresh water fishing, nature observing, picnicking, walking/jogging. Location: Entrance on Harvard Road.

Any park or conservation area in Harvard or Bolton. Harvard and Bolton have no leash laws, so any public land is available to people walking their dogs off-leash. There are lots of conservation areas with trails; major ones include Clapp (off Rt 110 south of Rte 2), Delaney (off Finn Rd. in Harvard), Bowers Springs (Harvard Rd. in Bolton or Bolton Rd. in Harvard), Vaughan Hill (Green Road in Bolton), Bolton Flats (Rte. 110 in Bolton) and Powderhouse Hill (entrance behind Bolton Town Hall). Directions: I-495, exits for Route 111 (Harvard) and Route 117 (Bolton); or Route 2, exit for Routes 110/111 (Harvard).

Miles of trails for hiking and cross country skiing in acres of woodlands. Very out of the way – you rarely encounter other hikers on these trails. No ponds or streams. Location: Taylor Road or Route 117. Directions: Park at Pompositticut School on Rt 117 in Stow when school is not in session or parking area on Taylor Road (anytime). Rt 117 to Packard Road, left on Taylor Road.

2,018 acres all off leash. This area is open to hunting as it’s run by the Mass. Fisheries and Game division. Where blaze orange from October to January. Location: Enter off of Rte 140 north in Gardner, behind the North County Correctional Institute on Colony Road, or just beyond Colony Road at the turn off that says ‘Wildlife viewing area. Directions: Take rte 2 west to exit 24, rte 140 north. The two entrances are on your right. There are other entances in Westminster and Ashburnham.

2 mile trail loop through wooded area, other cross trails. Leash-free, well marked trails. Lots of other dogs, particularly late pm and Sunday morning. Gathering spot is large open field w/pond, off School Street, behind South Acton Fire Station. Location: School Street. Directions: From south: Take 27 north, turn right at light onto school street after crossing railroad bridge. From North: Take 27 south, turn left onto School Street at light, before railroad bridge. From East: Take Route 2 west to Route 117 exit, at light turn left onto Route 27 S. Turn left at light before railroad bridge onto School Street. From West, Take Route 2E to rt. 27 exit. Turn left off ramp, heading toward Maynard. Go straight through first light. Turn left at next light onto School Street. From 117: take 117 to rt. 27 North. Follow directions for ‘From South.’

There is an enforced leash law in Branford so be careful as this is NOT a town recognized dog park. They usually leave you alone but the partial fenced part is a kids softball field so if there is a game it may be an issue. That is an actual pond but watch out for the swans they will chase your dog Field w/pond-Wooded trails, swimming pond, trails, lots of friendly dogs and people. Leash dog on the way to the field. This is a very nice place to take your dog, it has trails which are marked, there are several routes to take. Also a semi-fenced in field. I felt comfortable enough to let my dog go w/o a leash. I would bring water, and you also must bring a leash. I did not feel comfortable letting my dog swim in the pond, as it was very ‘pond like’. It was a very nice park overall. It took us about 40 minutes to circle around once. Location: I95N to exit 56. Make right follow to stop sign. Make right on to Rt.146. Follow 146 quite a ways, very twisty turny, you will have to make a hard left to keep following 146, veer right @ fork, there will be a golf course, Young Park will be on your right, entrance is on right.

Located in Foxborough and Wrentham. Swimming for dogs, lots of trails, dogs can be off leash but motorized bikes share the park as well. Great in the winter, buggy in summer. Several water holes and brooks throughout many trails. Few large ponds for dogs to swim in. Caution for motorized bikes. Road to park not plowed in winter. They do have a hunting season. Heading south on route 1 from Walpole, enter Foxborough, pass State Police on left, pass ceramic pottery place on left, take next left onto High Rock Road.

Located off Mill St behind the baseball field. You must show your license to get in and your dog must be registered in the town you live in. There is a beach / pond area for the dogs to swim. Bring your own water.

About 3/4 acre fenced in area. Double gated entry. Adjacent basketball courts are lit, so there is some light for night time use. No other amenities now, but we are working on raising money for shade, benches, dispensers, etc. Location: Gano Street, entry from Power Street or Fremont Street.

Located on Ash St (off route 30). It is a 2 mile walk all the way around the resevoir. Dogs can be off leash as long as they are under voice control.