Marked trails provide winter recreation options for West Hartford residents.

By Ronni Newton

Rockledge Golf Course is closed to golfers for the season, but the course is open to use for other purposes during the winter months.

The winter trails are now open for hiking, cross country skiing, or snowshoeing. And while dogs are permitted, West Hartford Animal Control has received complaints about the behavior of dogs and their owners.

“Unfortunately, we have to post some guidelines about dogs at Rockledge Country Club in town,” a post on the West Hartford Animal Control Facebook page last week stated.

Complaints have included reports of dogs being off leash and rushing at other dogs and their owners, dogs off leash destroying the greens, and dog feces being left on the course. Officers have increased their patrols as a result.

“Please be respectful of each other and the wildlife that use this course,” the post stated. “West Hartford residents have this wonderful privilege of being able to use this course for outdoor fun in the winter. These rules are the same rules that apply to other parks and school yards in town year round.”

Guidelines include:

• Park only in the Rockledge Golf Club parking lot off South Main Street.
• Trails are open from dawn to dusk every day.
• Trails start and end at the Pro Shop. Do not cut across greens to reach trails.
• Stay on the designated trails to avoid hazardous areas and prevent damage to the greens and tees.
• Bicycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and motorized vehicles of any kind ARE NOT ALLOWED.
• Dog waste must be bagged and removed from the area.

There are three marked trails: yellow trail (0.6 mile), red trail (1.6 miles); and the blue trail (2.2 miles). All three trails start and end at the Golf Shop and are clearly marked with colored markers spaced 0.1 mile apart.

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