Dogs Have Their Day in West Hartford
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West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
On Monday, the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition held their annual ‘Pooch Plunge’ at the Beachland Park pool.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
It was a “dog day afternoon” Monday in West Hartford, with an estimated 380 pups taking the opportunity to dive in, or at least dip their paws into the water at Beachland Park pool during the annual West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge.
Although there were a few expert dog paddlers and divers, “most went into the shallow end,” said Scott Franklin, a WHDPC co-president. The dogs who came for swimming and chasing tennis balls were a wide range of sizes, shapes, colors, and degrees of furriness.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
WHDPC Co-President Greg Shimer said an initial estimate is that the plunge raised about $9,500 and will likely net $6,500 for the organization. Dogs and their owners came from all over – not just West Hartford and surrounding towns, but also from Shelton, Ansonia, and even New York State.
This year’s plunge honored the Coleman family and all they have done to support the creation of a dog park over the years to support creation of a permanent dog park in West Hartford. David Coleman just retired from his role as co-president of the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition, after many years of organizing pooch plunges and leading the community group that was originally founded in 2008.
Since November 2022, the town has had a dog park at the former St. Brigid School property at 100 Mayflower Street – which is scheduled for demolition this fall in preparation for the eventual construction of a new Elmwood Community Center on the property, which will be connected to Beachland Park.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
According to Shimer, the existing dog park will remain accessible when the former school building is taken down, but access will shift. He said the long-term plan, once the new community center is built, is for the dog park to be situated on a portion of the property near where the basketball courts currently are located. While the town will operate the dog park, the WHDPC will use the funds raised for improvements, events, and other costs.
Zoomin Groomin West Hartford was the “top dog” sponsor this year, and DaleyPawz, Hounds Town, Woof Gang, and Green Tails Market were among the sponsors that set up booths along the walkway, and many also donated items for a basket raffle. A full list of sponsors can be found here.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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. Eisenhower Park’s pool is open through Aug. 23, while Cornerstone Aquatics Center is closed this week for annual maintenance.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 17, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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