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Bare Cove Park

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Dog Rules in the Park

 

 

 

Bare Cove Park - Dog Rules in the Park

Questions and Concerns to:
Bare Cove Park Committee
Hingham Town Hall
210 Central Street
Hingham, MA  02043
781-741-1400

Hours of Operation:
Open Every Day
Dawn to Dusk
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Important Documents & Links:

Hingham Dog Regulations

Printable Bare Cove Park Map

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Bare Cove Park Logo

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, and lots of smells to smell!   At a time when many public parks that allow dogs require that they be leashed — often even specifying the length of the leash — Bare Cove Park welcomes responsible people to walk well-behaved dogs off-leash. 

Many conscientious people walk dogs here, regularly and often.  They are considerate of other patrons' enjoyment of the Park and obey the following rules:

    1. Pick up and properly dispose of dog waste.
    2. The dog is always under control, either with a leash or by voice command.
    3. The dog wears a collar or harness with current license and rabies tags.

Dogs may walk off-leash only when:

    1. The dog is under control at all times and will "heel" (or "come/sit/stay") on command.
    2. The walker has a leash in-hand.

         

Magnum, the dog, in the Truck
“Magnum” McMillan  1995-2007 Magnum went to Rainbow Bridge in December.

The passenger seat is empty . . .

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 several reasons to keep your dog in-sight and ahead of you when they walk off-leash in a 400+ acre wildlife sanctuary, made up of river shoreline, wetland, open fields, dense woods, and diverse animal and plant life.  Picking up after your dog is one of them. 
  • Most regular park visitors bring their own plastic bags to pick up their pets' waste.  They re-use bags they get for free as a regular part of life — grocery, newspaper, produce or bread bags — to pick up and contain pet waste.  Also, regular patrons often stock a cloth "bag of bags" at path intersections near trash barrels to help keep their park clean.  
  • 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.
  • 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.   
  • The Park has a small budget to provide ProPet bags for use in the Park; when available, they are in dispensers at the entrance gate and the Information kiosk.  Donations to provide more bags are happily accepted by Friends of Bare Cove Park at Hingham Town Hall, 210 Central St. Hingham, MA  02043.

Bassett Hound

There are two choices to properly dispose of pet waste:

  1. Seal the bag and take it with you when you leave the park.
  2. Put the sealed bag in the trash barrels located conveniently throughout the park. 

"Under Control" is key . . .

Remember: While there are many people who walk dogs at Bare Cove Park, 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.  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.  

  • No matter how friendly you think your dog is, you cannot allow it to rush up to other people or dogs — especially dogs that are on a leash. 
  • Never allow your dog to chase a jogger or cyclist. 

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.

"Control" means AwarenessMan walking dog

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 rolling in something smelly 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 pre-schooler, a baby in a stroller and a puppy on a leash?
    • 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 easier for the pet to be returned to you.  Local shelters and pounds can also be scary places for dogs found without current tags.

Courtesy, Consideration and Common Sense

In many situations, 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 "This is (dog's name), a (age/breed) who likes (other dogs, kids, to have ears rubbed, etc.).  Is that OK?" When the answer is "No.", leash your dog immediately and proceed on your way until you determine that it makes sense for your dog to walk again off-leash. 


 
Hingham Town Hall • 210 Central Street • Hingham, MA 02043-2759 •webmaster@hingham-ma.gov