Open-Ended Temporary Permit Sought For West Hartford Dog Park

WEST HARTFORD, CT — 10 months after getting approval to operate a temporary West Hartford Dog Park on Mayflower Street, park supporters are back before the zoning board seeking a more open-ended permit.

Last September, the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition applied for and received West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission approval to operate a temporary dog park at 100 Mayflower St., the site of the old St. Brigid School that is now owned by the town.

Currently, the St. Brigid School parcel will be home to a new community/senior center and library, and construction of that project is a main reason why this is a temporary dog park location.

With construction still on hold, David Coleman of the dog park coalition is seeking a special permit to extend the dog park's temporary location there indefinitely until the town is ready to use the property.

Once that happens, the dog park there would close and, possibly, relocate to another temporary site or, even, permanently be stationed there once construction is done, requiring a whole new process before town land-use boards.

As part of that application, the PZC has scheduled a public hearing for July 10 at 7:15 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall, 50 S. Main St.

Prior to that hearing, however, another hearing on the dog park will take place as part of the review process that resulted in the park's approval last year.

Essentially, the hearing will go over whether the park organizers have complied with the terms of last year's permit and how park operations have been.

This is a standard part of any PZC permit approval and a review is necessary prior to any new permits at the site.

That public hearing is slated for 7:15 p.m. as well July 10.

Dog parks are seen as an important part of community life as they provide dog owners with not only a place to enjoy the company of other dog lovers, but the dogs themselves benefit from leash-free exercise and socialization with other canines.

For more information on the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition, click on this link.

For the minutes of the June 5 West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

From Sept. 9, 2022: 'West Hartford Dogs Will Get Their Park'