[GWC...]

The post that started this thread:

Originally Posted by LilacHill

We went to the boat launch with the dogs today in Alton and they changed the signage to read NO DOGS. Why? Where are we supposed to go with them? No where in town apparently. What was the reason behind this? Does anyone know and what can we do to get this changed? My taxes are going to help pay for this stuff and the only thing we use recreationally is the boat ramp for the dogs.

Another post by the thread's originator:

Originally Posted by LilacHill

Do you live in Alton? If not I don't think you have any room to talk.

The post that expressed the Town's position:

Originally Posted by Jersey Girl

I was going to append this to the thread that currently exists about dogs at the boat ramp, but I thought it would get lost amongst all those messages.

It turns out that the original posting was totally incorrect. Dogs are indeed allowed at the boat ramp. I e-mailled the Parks and Recreation Dept. (which the original poster should have done before starting the bruhaha) and got the following response:


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


So, it was all for nothing. Funny that someone from New Jersey figured out a way to find the answer to this question.

Jersey Girl

The thread origin poster's response post:

Originally Posted by LilacHill

OK having been gone most of the week with a dog having surgery I come back to a LOT of misinformation on this thread.

Jersey Girl thank you for emailing P&R. I was off the computer until today and not around so I couldn't go down to the town hall nor email anyone.

I used to send people here a lot to keep up with what's going on in town and around the lake. I'm not doing that again. Hope you have a wonderful time being nasty to the next person.

This has been an entertaining thread, if nothing else.

Interestingly, someone from NJ contacted the Town to get the real story on the dogs and the boat ramp issue.

One would have thought that the local person that originated the thread would have done this before raising the issue on the Forum.

Then, again, think of all the time, effort, and energy that the thread instilled...