By Phil Orlandella
Many North End dog owners are wagging their tails now that it has been confirmed by RUFF that the DiFilippo Park on Prince and Snow Hill Streets has been officially approved as a permanent dog park this spring 2016.
A three-month pilot program worked out so well the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department took the necessary steps to give the dog park a permanent status.
RUFF an all volunteer, non-profit neighborhood organization made up of residents, took the bull by the horns and ran with establishing the permanent park, working with the City, residents and elected officials on the endeavor.
RUFF attended numerous community meetings gaining the support of NEWRA and NEWNC in the process.
Elected officials that represent the North End, Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Councilor Sal LaMattina threw their support for the idea.
From day one, the Regional Review fully supported the movement by RUFF to get a permanent park in the DiFilippo Park.
Regional Review Editor at Large Phil Orlandella said, “RUFF, right from the start was determined to establish a pilot program and a permanent dog park.”
In the meantime he said, “RUFF did everything possible to show the city and the neighborhood that a dog park can and did work.”
He added, “RUFF also made sure that local canine owners knew of their responsibility as residents to help keep the community clean and healthy through flyers, emails, meetings, events, posters and word of mouth. They even had a cleanup day on a regular basis.”
           Apparently, the park will now get the upgrades and fixtures that were planned, including canine grass, a sprinkler system and more according to rough President Leslie Horn.