Take Your Dog For A Swim At West Hartford's 'Pooch Plunge'

West Hartford Dog Park Coalition

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Sadly, the Town of West Hartford's outdoor public swimming pools close for the season on Sunday, Aug. 17.

But the community's furry, pawed friends get their turn the day after, as dozens of dogs will splash around at the annual West Hartford “Pooch Plunge” on Monday, Aug. 18.

Dog owners can bring their dogs for an end-of-summer swim at the Beachland Park pool in West Hartford, 847 South Quaker Lane, West Hartford.

The event will take place from 4 to 6:45 p.m. and the cost is $15 per dog, proceeds going toward the creation of a permanent dog park in West Hartford.

As in previous years, as many as 200 dogs are expected to dive in, get wet, chase tennis balls, and simply play with each other.

The event is sponsored by the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition, Town of West Hartford, and lead business sponsor "Wagging Tails Pet Resort and Spaw."

The event is seen as a great way for dogs to cool off and is also a fundraiser for a permanent dog park in West Hartford, which is the primary aim of the coalition.

Each year, before West Hartford closes and cleans the town pools for the season, it lets the coalition use Beachland Park pool for the Pooch Plunge.

“The dog days of summer are literally here,” said David Coleman, co-president of the WHDPC. “We always get a terrific turnout at the pooch plunge, and we appreciate the support of the town and our corporate sponsors. The plunge, our largest fundraiser of the year, is intended to gather momentum for a permanent dog park in town. We look forward to this dog day afternoon.”

“We are thrilled to support the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition at its biggest event of the year,” added Krista Cugno Lofquist, owner of Wagging Tails Pet Resort and Spaw in Newington. “Making dogs and their owners happy is our business at Wagging Tails, and what better way to do that than watching the dogs splash around in the pool on a hot summer day. I know our customers will be delighted when a permanent dog park is finally created.”

Attendees can pay in advance via this link or at the pool entrance with Venmo or cash. They must sign a liability waiver before entering the pool area.

Formed in 2008, the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition nonprofit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to establishing a permanent, off-leash dog park in West Hartford. It currently operates a temporary dog park (with separate areas for large and small dogs) at 100 Mayflower St., West Hartford. Efforts to establish a permanent dog park are ongoing.

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