Pups were welcomed into Beachland Park’s swimming pool Monday afternoon for the annual West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s ‘Pooch Plunge.’
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. Aug. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Bridget Bronsdon. Photos by Bridget Bronsdon and Ronni Newton
West Hartford’s four-legged friends celebrated the “dog days” of summer as they took the plunge this past Monday at the annual “Pooch Plunge.”
Beachland Park was quickly transformed into a tennis ball paradise for over 100 local pups who had the opportunity to socialize, swim, chase tennis balls, and of course, take the plunge.
The longstanding tradition, which is held at the end of August, marks the end of the summer’s outdoor pool season. While the other outdoor pools in the area close for the season, Beachland Park is closed to human swimmers but remains open for an extra afternoon to provide the West Hartford pups a chance to go for a final summer swim.
The event, sponsored by the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition (WHDPC), Town of West Hartford, Daley Pawz (lead business sponsor), Uberdog, Pet Supplies Plus, and Keating Insurance, is also a fundraiser to promote WHDPC’s efforts to establish a permanent dog park.
David Coleman, Co-president of WHDPC, explained that while West Hartford currently has a temporary dog park, they hope to use the funds for a permanent one. Although the town has recently granted approval for the temporary dog park to extend its stay for another year, it is unclear what will become of the area after that period.
“It’s a fundraiser to help us raise money for a permanent dog park,” Coleman stated.
In the spirit of the event, many owners shared laughs, photos, and donations for the WHDPC to help fund their mission.
The afternoon did not disappoint as the canines were able to partake in all their favorite off-leash activities – swim, chase tennis balls, socialize with other dogs, and of course, spend quality time with their beloved owners.
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Bridget Bronsdon
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
Uberdog, Pooch Plunge 2023 sponsor. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
Paw Print, featured at the 2023 ‘Pooch Plunge.’ Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
Daley Pawz, business sponsor for 2023 ‘Pooch Plunge.’ Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. August 21, 2023. Photo Credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. Aug. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. Aug. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. Aug. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. Aug. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. Aug. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Pooch Plunge. Aug. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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