Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Dog Park

Located on the campus of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Tufts Dog Park is a 2 acre fenced off-leash park, adjacent to Cummings School Farm, along the Westborough/Grafton town line. Tufts Dog Park is open to licensed, fully vaccinated, and well-behaved dogs and their owners who have registered, agreed to the rules of the park and paid the required annual fee.

To assure the safety of dogs, owners, and farm staff, Cummings School Farm fields are NOT available for dog walking or other activities. These fields are part of the active Cummings School Farm used to raise hay and corn for our animals. We welcome you to walk your dog only in the specially fenced area.

For your convenience, dog waste bags and a trash container are provided. However, we ask that you bring your own waste bags and bring your waste home if at all possible to keep the costs of maintenance to a minimum.

Please be courteous and respectful of your fellow users and follow the rules and regulations of the Dog Park.

For general questions or comments about Tufts Dog Park, please contact DogPark@tufts.edu.

For complaints, incident reporting or emergencies, please contact Tufts University Police at (508) 839-5303.

To receive regular updates from Tufts University about the Dog Park, please register your email address with us. Although Cummings School will occasionally share information with you about campus news and upcoming events, your email address will not be shared with anyone else. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Registration

Register for Tufts Dog Park

All Tufts Dog Park users must register in advance with Tufts Auxiliary Services via our online registration system. 

The registration fee of $25 helps to offset Cummings School's costs for waste disposal (including bags), as well as fees for general maintenance of the field. Cummings School community members will have this fee waived. 

To register, you will need the following information and documents: 

  • Owner(s) name(s)
  • Details about your dog(s)
  • A copy of current rabies vaccination
  • A copy of proof of registration in your town
  • Digital acknowledgment of the Rules and Regulations
  • Digital acceptance of a liability waiver

You will also pay the fee at the time of registration (if applicable). Once registration is complete, you will receive a dog tag for your pet.

Please contact DogPark@tufts.edu if you have any questions

Registration Renewal

Tufts Dog Park registration tags expire December 31st every year. It is the user’s responsibility to renew their registrations and obtain a new tag annually. If you have previously registered with us, you may renew your registration online.

Rules and Regulations

All users of Tufts Dog Park must register prior to bringing their dogs on site. As part of the registration, users agree to abide by the following rules:

General

  1. All Tufts Dog Park users must be registered with Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
  2. Disregarding the rules will result in suspension or removal of Tufts Dog Park privileges. You may also be asked to leave Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University premises.
  3. Enter the Dog Park only through the gate at the corner of Route 30 and Glen St. All other gates are closed except for agricultural use.
  4. The ground at the Dog Park can be very uneven and rocky. Please be careful while you are walking in or around the Dog Park. You are agreeing to assume all risks for using the Dog Park (with or without your dog).
  5. This is an agricultural field and all gates will be closed on certain days of the year to accomplish field maintenance and harvest of crops. The Dog Park is open daily May 1 to September 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and October 1 to April 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. unless it is in use for agricultural purposes. If you see farm machinery in the Dog Park, the field is closed.
  6. No motorized vehicles allowed in Dog Park.
  7. If you bring children into the Dog Park, please closely supervise your children and do not leave them unattended. Some dogs are not used to being around children and some actions (including loud voices) of children can annoy or scare dogs. Actions of some dogs may be unpredictable around children. If you think you cannot properly supervise your children, please do not bring them to the Dog Park.
  8. Tufts University and its trustees, officers, employees, students and volunteers are not responsible for any personal property that may become lost or damaged while you are on the Dog Park or on Tufts premises.
  9. Promptly report violation of field rules to the Tufts Campus Police at (508) 839-5303.

Field Maintenance

  1. Please use bags provided to pick up dog waste. 
  2. Please carry waste bags away from the Dog Park for disposal at your property or deposit waste in bins provided at the Dog Park.
  3. Please do not deposit any trash other than bagged dog waste in bins provided at the Dog Park or in other trash bins on Tufts premises.

Dog Rules

  1. Dogs who are aggressive against other dogs or people should not be brought to the Dog Park. Assess your dog’s temperament before walking in a public area. Evidence of aggression is grounds for suspension or removal of Dog Park privileges.
  2. You are responsible and liable for the actions of your dog (whether your dog was brought in by you, your family member, friend, or dog walker). Tufts University and its trustees, officers, employees, students and volunteers cannot and will not supervise and is not liable for the actions of you, your dog, other people or other dogs using the Dog Park or on Tufts premises.
  3. You agree to hold Tufts University and its trustees, officers, employees, students and volunteers harmless and agree not to sue or bring claims against Tufts University and its trustees, officers, employees, students or volunteers in the event that you, your guests (including your child/children) or your dog becomes ill or is injured or killed due to using the Dog Park or while on Tufts premises or due to the actions of another person or another dog.
  4. Your dog must be licensed with your town, current on all vaccines (including rabies) and have regular fecal exams done by your veterinarian.
  5. Dogs must be on leash at all times except in the specifically designated, fenced, off-leash area of the Dog Park.
  6. Dogs must display a Tufts Dog Park Registered User Tag as well as a current rabies tag.
  7. Ask permission before allowing your dog to approach a person or another dog.
  8. Don't allow others to approach and pet or interact with your dog without your supervision and permission.
  9. Be respectful of all field users.