Overview
- Avon police closed D.W. Field Park on Friday, July 3, locking gates at South Street and the parkway to keep people away while teams respond.
- Residents and animal control officers reported the small black bear near the Avon–Randolph line, Route 28/North Main Street, DeMarco Park, and D.W. Field Park, with video and photos shared with crews.
- Officials say the bear has not been captured and is being monitored by Holbrook/Avon Animal Control and Massachusetts Environmental Police; no injuries have been reported.
- Authorities urged people not to approach or follow the bear and to secure trash, chicken coops, bird feeders, and pets, and to report sightings to Animal Control at 617-639-7982 or the Environmental Police at 800-632-8075.
- Wildlife officials note black bears are common in western and central Massachusetts and are spreading eastward, so residents should expect occasional encounters and take steps to remove food attractants that draw bears into neighborhoods.