Dogs at Alton boat ramps ?
 

I found this post on this forum from several years ago. I have contacted the town, but in the meantime does anyone know if this is still the policy? :


Thank you for your interest in the Town of Alton park areas. We recognize
the importance of including our pets in our parks and are providing the
following references for your information.

TOWN OF ALTON ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS, March 1995
“3.3 Animals- Animals are prohibited from being in the water within any
authorized swim area or being on swim docks. All persons shall be
responsible to clean-up after their dogs and remove any waste substance from
Town-Owned property.”

TOWN BEACHES-DOG REGULATIONS
“The Town of Alton has instituted a regulation restricting dogs from the
town beaches and swim areas. This would include the sandy beach area and
swimming zone located along 28A; the swim dock grassy area from the boat
ramp to the community center and the actual swimming area.”

Dogs are welcome in Alton Bay across from the public restrooms, parallel to
the lake until the public boat ramp. Dogs are able to access the lake at
the public boat ramp. Dogs are also welcome at Jones Field Park and Liberty
Tree Park.

To answer your question:
A sign is not posted to prohibit dogs from swimming at the boat ramp. The
sign indicates dogs are not allowed in the swim area, defined by buoys, and
on the grass from the boat ramp to the Community Center. The boat ramp is
outside the swim area buoys and dogs are permitted to use it. :0)
Please let me know if you have other questions I'd be happy to help answer
them.

Kellie Troendle, Parks and Recreation Director

I've seen quite a few walking their dogs through the grass between the ramp and Community Center. Most clean up , but there is always the one that doesn't.

There are signs stating no dogs on grassy areas between the parking lot (side walk) and the water. I believe it is for the whole length. That is to say from the Real estate building to the railroad station.:)

I was at the town docks today and the signs indicating that dogs cannot be on the grass are only between Shibley's and the railroad station, which would indicate to me from Shibley's to the old real estate office is okay for dogs. All other signage addresses cleaning up after the pet. (which only makes sense).

I did ask the town about it and they said they would review and get back to me this coming week.

Thanks for looking into this! I had just recently been down by the lake and wondered where we can bring our dog to swim. I appreciate you letting us know what you find out this week. :)

The Town's response
 

Kellie was VERY responsive in getting back to me with the information below. I have included a couple of the emails that went back and forth.... Thanks again Kellie for letting us know !
__________________________________________________ ______________
Gary,

You are correct with your understanding of where dogs can swim and dry off. Thank you for asking ahead of time so you have an enjoyable experience.

Sincerely,

Kellie Troendle, CPRP
Alton Parks and Recreation Director
P.O. Box 659
328 AVAS Public Park
Alton, NH 03809
603.875.0109
www.alton.nh.gov

Alton Parks and Recreation
"Creating Community Through People, Parks and Programs"

__________________________________________________ ______________
To: Kellie Troendle
Subject: Re: Dogs in the Bay....

Hi Kellie,

Thanks so much for getting back to me.... as you can well imagine, my primary question really is if there is any place that I can get my dog into the lake on town property. It sounds as though we can let her go into the lake at the boat ramp next to Shibley's and then "dry off" on the "toward town" side of Shibley's between there and the old real estate office. I do understand the signage between Shibley's and the community center and that dogs are not allowed on the grass there.

Gary
__________________________________________________ ______________

On Mon, Jun 30, 2014 at 1:44 PM, Kellie Troendle <parksrec@alton.nh.gov> wrote:
Hello Gary,

Thank you for your email about the Town of Alton policy on dogs. The information is still current and no new policies have been made. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,

Kellie Troendle, CPRP

Alton Parks and Recreation
"Creating Community Through People, Parks and Programs"
__________________________________________________ ______________



Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 11:14 AM
To: Kellie Troendle
Subject: Dogs in the Bay....

Good morning... I found this link below on one of the on line forums and was curious if this was still the policy or if it had changed.... can someone let me know ?

Thank you for your interest in the Town of Alton park areas. We recognize
the importance of including our pets in our parks and are providing the
following references for your information.

TOWN OF ALTON ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS, March 1995
“3.3 Animals- Animals are prohibited from being in the water within any
authorized swim area or being on swim docks. All persons shall be
responsible to clean-up after their dogs and remove any waste substance from
Town-Owned property.”

TOWN BEACHES-DOG REGULATIONS
“The Town of Alton has instituted a regulation restricting dogs from the
town beaches and swim areas. This would include the sandy beach area and
swimming zone located along 28A; the swim dock grassy area from the boat
ramp to the community center and the actual swimming area.”

Dogs are welcome in Alton Bay across from the public restrooms, parallel to
the lake until the public boat ramp. Dogs are able to access the lake at
the public boat ramp. Dogs are also welcome at Jones Field Park and Liberty
Tree Park.

To answer your question:
A sign is not posted to prohibit dogs from swimming at the boat ramp. The
sign indicates dogs are not allowed in the swim area, defined by buoys, and
on the grass from the boat ramp to the Community Center. The boat ramp is
outside the swim area buoys and dogs are permitted to use it. :0)
Please let me know if you have other questions I'd be happy to help answer
them.
Kellie Troendle, Parks and Recreation Director

Thanks!
 

Thanks so much for asking and sharing your questions, and the provided answers. It's much appreciated- our dog loves to wade in the water on hot days, but I haven't known where she was allowed. We're looking forward to checking that spot out!

Wet dogs
 

The Jones & Liberty parks don't sound like they have water? I would like to swim WITH MY DOG but moving here recently a boat launch (is this safe?). I was asked to leave by the tree just after the Mt. Washington dock on rt. 11. Not a REAL dog friendly lake like Pa. Every beach(no dog area w/ it) every side road PRIVATE.Only found 1 area, Roberts Cove, so that gets as crouded as 4th of July fireworks!

Wynndog,

I'm not familiar with those two parks, but maybe someone else is? I had hoped that they had swimming access. I agree that a boat launch seems like it could be busy and a less than ideal place to swim. Any insight from those more familiar would be wonderful! Thanks in advance!

Town parks
 

Here is a link to a description of the two parks in question. Both are on the Merrymeeting River but really do not have access nor would be suitable for you swimming.

http://www.alton.nh.gov/PnRFacilities.asp

Thanks for sharing that. I'll check it out!

Good conversation
 

Nice meeting you and your wife GBGX2 yesterday at the Alton launch. We have always used the launch for the boat and the dog and it's nice to know that he can cool off there whenever he wants. Good luck with your new lab, they are a ton of fun, but can be like a newborn child sometimes.