"Let no unpatriotic hand destroy this revolutionary relic, now known as Fort Washington."…read more
In the "History of Cambridge, Massachusetts 1630-1877" by Lucius R. Paige, on Page 422, "Let no unpatriotic hand destroy this revolutionary relic, now known as Fort Washington."
The Erecting of the Dog Fence, approved by the Cambridge Historical Commission in 11/2005, on the 230th anniversary of the building of Fort Washington Earthworks, has in my opinion severely eroded the 231 year old Earthworks and turned the Parade ground in a frozen mud pit.
Dogs borrow holes in the 231 year old Earthworks with impunity, as there is no protection for these fragile revolutionary relics, our forefathers so bravely constructed under British cannonades while suffering sickness and death in the Camps and Barracks of Cambridge. --- Read "1776" 1776: Books: David McCullough
I am glad Cambridge preserved the 149 year old fence in the 1902, 1976, 1986 etc. around Fort Washington, but the Fence was built for the purpose of providing protection to the 231 year old Earthworks. Washington and his Volunteer Soldiers, who toiled so hard to build the Hundreds of Siege fortifications around Boston that, with Knox's Ticonderoga Canon on Dorchester Heights, Forced the British Evacuation of Boston on March 17, 1776. Fort Washington Earthworks are the last remaining fragile revolutionary relics of these Hundreds of Siege fortifications built, that resulted in Washington's Improbable Victory.
I believe these 231 years old Earthworks deserve at least the same protection afforded the Earthworks at National Battlefields such as Petersburg.
FROM PETERSBURG VA, NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK --- CIVIL WAR EARTHWORKS LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES 2
States: c. Minimize the deleterious action of natural phenomena on the earthworks, e.g., windthrow of trees, burrowing of animals, or invasion of plant species that reduce natural diversity and erosion controlling cover.
I do like dogs, but as a USN Veteran, DAV, and American Legion Member, I feel this not the proper place to allow dogs to run free, just as dogs are not permitted in Mt Auburn Cemetery.
BRIAN D. CAMPBELL
PEARL STREET
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
CAMBRIDGE CHRONICLE Letter: Dog park needs improvements
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - Updated: 12:36 PM EST
I have been a resident of Cambridgeport for more than nine years, and I have enjoyed using the dog park at Fort Washington and respect its historical significance.
In the past year, I have become increasingly alarmed at the abuse that the park has suffered. Today the site is little more than a large dirt lot. The green grass has long disappeared and the mounds are eroding. Large holes mar the site, and gravel litters the ground where grass once grew.
I think it's important to have a dog-friendly dog park, and I appreciate the effort Cambridge has made by installing fences to enclose the park. However, Cambridge's magnanimous effort to help dog owners has attracted abuse, especially by dog walkers.
At some times during the day, I have seen dog walkers carry 10 dogs to Fort Washington. Some dog walkers are responsible and do not allow their dogs to harm the park. However, others are not so respectful. Some dog walkers release their dogs where they wildly run into the park. Sometimes they run around with leashes dragging in the dirt. Some dogs become bored or anxious and dig large holes in the mounds or in the grass. The sheer volume of dogs (between 10 to 30 dogs) is detrimental to the space.
I would like to propose that drastic measures be taken to protect the park. First, I would like to see the park closed for restoration to grow new grass and rebuild the mounds. This would include restoring topsoil that has either blown away or eroded off the site. During a restoration period, the dog walkers would have to find a new place to take the dogs.
Secondly, I would propose limiting the dog park in the amount of dogs that one could take to the park. This limit would prevent or discourage dog walkers from bringing large packs to the park.
I fondly remember going to Fort Washington with my dog and being able to sit in the grass, throw a ball or just enjoy a summer's day. I hope Cambridge will find a way to save this special park so that others will be able to do this in the future. George Washington once walked this ground. Soldiers stood ready to protect Boston there. Now it's our turn to protect the land that once played an important part in our country's history.
CLAIRE DANIEL
Cambridge
BRIAN D. CAMPBELL
PEARL STREET
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139