Voters at next month’s Town Meeting will be asked to fund construction of a dog park in Minot Forest, where Fido and his friends could run free for exercise and canine socialization.

A volunteer group calling itself DPAW (Dog Park Affiliation of Wareham) is spearheading the year-old effort. DPAW’s goal is to secure $100,000 in Community Preservation funds to construct the park, which would then be maintained by volunteers and funds secured by the nonprofit DPAW.

DPAW President Nichole Litchfield says she's gone door to door, explaining the benefits of a dog park to dog owners and dog-less residents alike.

There are 1,283 registered dogs in town and currently no designated public property where they may exercise off-leash.

Litchfield said she has heard that some people with dogs drive more than an hour to other dog parks.

“There are obviously rules in this town where dogs aren't allowed on the beach,” said Litchfield. She said a designated, fenced dog park would keep residents from taking their pets where they are not allowed.

If approved, the park would be constructed off Indian Neck Road in Minot Forest.

Community Preservation funds come from a surtax on properties valued at more than $100,000. Under state law, they can be used only for historic preservation, affordable housing, open space preservation or recreational facilities.

Last year, the Community Preservation Committee (which administers the town’s Community Preservation funds) and the Open Space Committee brought plans for a dog park to Selectmen, who at that time rejected the idea, citing concerns of liability and maintenance.

Last month, dog park advocates received a warmer reception from Selectmen.

“I think you're doing it the right way with volunteers and nonprofit funding,” said Selectman Steve Holmes. “I don't think you're going to get it shot down. The question is, who is going to maintain it and who’s going to pay for it?”

His colleagues on the board expressed support for the idea but had similar concerns about the details – specifically insurance.

“We want to make sure it can stay and thrive” and that “everybody can be comfortable and that everybody is safe,” Chairman Patrick Tropeano said.

Litchfield said she has researched state law and cites the Recreational Use Statute, which limits the town’s liability for injury on recreational land. Nevertheless, Selectmen are adamant that any park would require additional insurance.

Litchfield said DPAW has applied with the state to become a nonprofit organization and will file for similar federal tax status.

Gaining nonprofit status would put the group in a position to apply for grants and accept tax-deductible donations to pay park maintenance expenses.

Since the engineered plan for the park is still underway, Litchfield does not have exact figures for the total cost of the park and said she does not wish to speculate on the cost. The $100,000 figure is based on the assumption that creation of a park would not cost more than $100,000. As with other Community Preservation fund projects, unused money would be returned to the general Community Preservation fund for use on other projects.

Even if the park is approved at Town Meeting, Litchfield said the group would not break ground on the project until the start of Fiscal Year 2017, July 1.

She said the group has already amassed a cohort of 50 volunteers, along with the seven members of the committee itself.

Amy Saccaccio, a resident of Wareham for four years, recently adopted her dog, Riley. She said a dog park would be good for the community, attracting more people to Wareham and keeping residents in town.

“Everyone has dogs, and the yards h​e​re are so small,” she said.

Litchfield said that those interested in joining the group or learning more may attend the volunteer meeting at the Wareham Public Library on March 26 at 10:30 a.m., or email volunteer@warehamdogpark.com.