Bare Cove Park is a wildlife sanctuary and also a place for public recreation.  The gentle grades of the paved roadways and woodland trails make it easy for everyone — parents with young children, people rehabilitating sports injuries or joint replacements, veteran and novice athletes, local workers on lunch-break, Senior Citizens, artists, boaters coming ashore, nature lovers and dog walkers — to enjoy the park throughout the year.

Bare Cove Park is a wonderful place to bring a dog for exercise.  There is plenty of room to romp and play fetch, a river to splash in, acres of woods, and lots of smells to smell!   At a time when many public parks that allow dogs require that they be leashed , people who obey the rules are welcome to walk their well-behaved dogs off-leash at Bare Cove Park.

Pick up and properly dispose of dog waste

Taking a dog for a nice walk in the park is a fun thing to do. Along with the fun comes some responsibility.

• Lots of people visit or work in this park. Put yourself in others' shoes. Can you think of anyone who smiles when they see, smell or step in "doggie doo"?
• There are reasons to keep your dog in-sight and ahead of you when they walk off-leash in 450+ acres of river shoreline, wetland, open fields, dense woods and wildlife. Picking up after your dog is one of them.
• Most regular park visitors bring their own plastic bags — grocery, newspaper, produce or bread bags — to pick up their pets’ waste. Also, regular patrons often stock a cloth “bag of bags” at path intersections near trash barrels to help keep their park tidy.
• Tips: Keep a supply of bags near your dog's leash or in your car’s trunk. Tying bags onto the leash gives easy access as you walk.
• It's helpful to bring an extra bag to offer when you notice that a fellow dog walker has been “caught short”; graciously accept a bag offered when someone sees that you need one for your dog.

“Under Control” is key . . .

There have been no complaints about well-behaved dogs and their responsible owners. However, even the most ardent dog-lovers lose patience with a person who does not have control of their pet. There are many people who walk dogs at Bare Cove Park, but not every dog is well-behaved enough to walk off-leash. Some dogs don’t like other dogs, or are anxious around children, or snap at strangers. Also, not every Park visitor is an avid dog-lover. Some people are afraid of dogs, others have allergies, and some just have other passions in life.

No matter how friendly you think your dog is:

• Never allow your dog to knock anyone down.
• Your dog may not ever chase after a jogger, walker, cyclist or runner.
• You may never allow it to rush up to other people or dogs — especially dogs that are on a leash — or to behave aggressively.

These behaviors are rude, and can be very dangerous as well as frightening. When you do not have verbal control of your dog, the dog must be on a leash at all times. Be aware, or you may receive a citation or be asked to leave the Park.

“Control” means Awareness

It's up to you to judge when you may need to control your dog. This is especially true when walking more than two dogs. Whether it's calling your dog away from a stinky low tide or from jumping on someone, keeping control of your dog ensures that you and other patrons can enjoy the Park.

• Be aware of where your dog is at all times. Keep your dog in sight, ideally ahead of you.
• What do you see or hear coming toward you and your dog?
  • A parent with a baby in a stroller and a puppy on a leash?
  • A child on a bike with training wheels?
  • A person walking with a cane?
  • Two joggers ahead, with a bicyclist coming from behind?
  • Someone walking who leashes their dog and moves to the other side of the road when they see your dog?

"Control" means Safety Even with the best training, dogs can be distracted — by other dogs, wildlife, children or bicycles — and forget their manners. A responsible dog walker is always prepared to leash their dog at the first sign of trouble. Bare Cove Park can be a big scary place for a dog to be lost in, especially after dark. If your dog should get lost in the park, current license and rabies tags make it possible for the pet to be returned to you. Local shelters and pounds can also be scary places for dogs that are turned in without current tags.

Courtesy, Consideration and Common Sense

There are times when it’s best to first control your dog, and then ask the other patrons before you allow your dog to approach. Call out “Do you like dogs?” or “Henry is a 10-year-old Chocolate Lab. Do you want me to leash him?” Based on their answer, you may need to leash your dog immediately and proceed along until you decide that it is OK for your dog to walk off-leash.