Dogs Have Their Day at West Hartford Pooch Plunge
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West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
On Monday, the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition held their annual ‘Pooch Plunge’ at Beachland Park pool to raise funds for a permanent dog park in town.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
It was a “dog day afternoon” for local canines as more paws than you could count splashed in and around the Beachland Park pool at the annual West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge.
The final numbers had not been tabulated as of Monday evening, but WHDPC Co-President David Coleman estimated that a record-breaking 400 pups of all sizes, shapes, and degrees of furriness stopped by for a swim and tennis ball chase at some point the eighth annual event.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“It’s been a zoo here. I’ve never seen so many dogs in all the years we’ve been doing this,” Coleman said. When the gate opened at 4 p.m., there was a line stretching from the entrance to the pool area all the way to the woods, he said. “A huge, great turnout, and beautiful weather,” he added, noting the sunny afternoon with temperatures in the mid-70s and low humidity.
While all dogs needed to have a current license, they did not need to be from West Hartford. Coleman said he met someone who had come from New York City to treat her dog to an afternoon at the pool. The fee to attend was $15 per family.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Event sponsorship was excellent this year as well, Coleman said. Wagging Tails, DaleyPawz, Uberdog, Hounds Town, and Camp Bow Wow were among the sponsors that set up booths along the walkway, and many also donated items for a basket raffle.
Since its inception, the Pooch Plunge has been a fundraiser to support creation of a permanent dog park in West Hartford, but since November 2022, the town has had a dog park at the former St. Brigid School property at 100 Mayflower Street. It’s technically still temporary, but there’s more hope than ever that once the new Elmwood Community Center is constructed on that site, the dog park may shift to a slightly different spot but will be a permanent amenity.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“So the plan, and it’s just a plan at this stage, is to include a dog park in the brand new facility, with the library and everything else,” said Coleman. The architectural design has been completed and is being reviewed by the town, but construction documents have not yet been prepared and funding has not been finalized for a project that, at last estimate, could cost as much as $65 million and has been delayed for at least a year.
According to the current plans, the 100 Mayflower Street site that will become the Elmwood Community Center will be combined with the adjacent Beachland Park to create a shared space.
Demolition of the former St. Brigid School is still planned for the near future – and while there is no specific set date it could possibly be as soon as this fall – and Coleman said while it’s not definite, it’s even possible that the dog park could remain open during the demolition period.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Once the construction of the new building starts the dog park will have to move out – at least temporarily while the construction is underway – but Coleman said it’s “part of the grand plan” for it to return.
Coleman said every year the WHDPC tries to raise “at least a few thousand” dollars, with the funds used for maintenance and repairs at the current dog park. A recent fence repair cost $800, he said. There’s also a need to have money available for expenses associated with a temporary relocation as well as whatever responsibility the organization may have in building and maintaining a permanent space.
When asked for final comments, Coleman tossed out a few appropriate cliches. “It’s a dog day afternoon … This is the dog day of summer,” he said. And, he told We-Ha.com, “You have a ruff assignment, but someone’s got to do it.”
As is customary, the Pooch Plunge was held the day after the Beachland Park pool, along with several of the town’s outdoor pools, closed for the season. Fernridge Park’s pool is open through Aug. 24, while Cornerstone Aquatics Center is closed for annual maintenance.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 18, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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