Southwick EDC Hears Dog Park Gift Proposal, Reviews $3,000 Annual Budget

Other Committee · Meeting of February 11, 2026

Southwick's Economic Development Commission heard a pitch to receive a 32-acre dog park as a gift and reviewed a $3,000 social media and events budget at its February 11 meeting. Diane Gale, founder of Friends of the South Dog Park, told the commission her 501(c)(3) nonprofit has acquired a 32.8-acre former Tilcon parcel on Hudson Drive, plans to build a state-of-the-art dog park on nine to ten of those acres using private funds, and intends to gift the entire property to the town — complete with solar carport parking and a drilled well, she said, to create "zero tax impact." Grant opportunities she cited reach as high as $500,000. Economic Development Director Alvin Allen reported verbal budget approval of $3,000 from Town Administrator Nicole Parker, with roughly $1,000 each designated for business meetings, the Southwick in Bloom program, and social media managed through an agency called Little Dog at $25 to $30 per month.

Allen also disclosed that an entity has inquired about converting the former Baptist church at 265 College Highway into an inpatient rehabilitation facility for 30 to 40 patients, a use Allen said is permitted under R-40 zoning but would require a Planning Board site plan modification.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 1,023 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of February 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.