West Hartford dogs are invited to dive into the Beachland Park pool on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.

Courtesy image

By Ronni Newton

The pool at West Hartford’s Beachland Park officially closes for the season to most swimmers on Sunday, Aug. 17 – but the town’s long-standing “dog day” event will take place once again, with the pool remaining open for one extra day for canines only.

The annual West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 18, from 4 to 6:45 p.m., and if history is any indication as many as 200 pups will be in attendance at Beachland Park, happily splashing about, dog paddling, and chasing tennis balls and each other while raising funds for a permanent dog park in town.

Since November 2022, West Hartford has had a dog park at the former St. Brigid School property at 100 Mayflower Street, and while the dog park remains open it is still technically a temporarily facility.

“This fall it will be three years already,” said David Coleman, co-president of the WHDPC. “It’s still there, still in good shape,” he said of the dog park, adding thanks to the town for supplying wood chips to keep the mud at bay.

Demotion 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 he knows the dog park will have to be vacated for at least four to eight weeks during the demolition. “But then we come back,” he said. A new Elmwood Community and Cultural Center is planned for the site, but the project has been delayed and Coleman is hopeful that a permanent dog park will ultimately be part of the plans.

In the meantime, the dogs will have their annual day to get their “paws in the pool.”

Coleman is thankful to the support of sponsors – including Top Dog sponsor Wagging Tails – and said more opportunities exist (see sponsorship levels on PDF below) to support the dog day afternoon.

The cost to attend the Pooch Plunge is $15 per family. Registration can be done online in advance and walk-ins are also welcome at the gate with payment via Venmo or cash.

Organizers note that there will also be a raffle with some “paw-some” prizes to be awarded.

Tennis balls will be provided, but attendees are asked not to bring any personal dog toys.

All dogs must be properly licensed and have 2025 tags.

Attendees are asked to please scoop their dogs’ poop.

Anyone who is unable attend but would like to support the dog park can still donate through this link.

More information can be found on the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Facebook page.

West Hartford Dog Park Coalition Pooch Plunge. Aug. 20, 2024. Photo credit: Bridget Bronsdon (we-ha.com file photo)

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab