Dog Policies
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

​​​​​

How can unleashed dogs impact a visitor’s experience on the natural lands?

Some people are not comfortable around dogs, no matter how well trained and well behaved the dog may be. Excited and happy dog behaviors such as approaching someone quickly, jumping up on someone, and sniffing someone can sometimes make people uncomfortable. Also, continuous dog barking and owners yelling to/at dogs detracts from the enjoyment of visitors.     

​

Why don’t those people who are uncomfortable around dogs just walk somewhere else?

The Preserve is open to all people, and we see the basic right to enjoy the natural lands as greater than someone’s right to walk their dog off-leash.  

How can unleashed dogs impact the environment?
By chasing wildlife, dogs put an unnecessary pressure on animals that may be nesting, courting, feeding their young, etc. Small amphibian breeding pools (active in May and June) are especially vulnerable to disturbance by dogs. On the Harbor Brook Trail, dogs trample the plants growing next to the water and cause soil erosion when they jump in and out of the water.

What if my dog is small and well-behaved – can they be walked off leash?
There are no exceptions to these new policies.

Can dogs still swim in Little Long Pond?
Yes, dogs may swim at the four water access areas at Little Long Pond! Between 10 am-4 pm, May 1 – September 30, you can unleash your dog at a water access area so they can swim. You are expected to leash your dog when they are not swimming, and before you leave the water access area.

What if I’m hiking and no one is around – can I take my dog’s leash off?
No.

Why are dogs not permitted on the Harbor Brook Trail?
A number of plants and animals living/growing in the Harbor Brook area are found nowhere else in the Preserve. One plant species found at Harbor Brook is actually quite rare in Maine and across New England. There is very little development along the Little Harbor Brook and its headwaters start in Acadia National Park, which means it is in relatively great ecological condition. We are choosing to protect this area while it is in great condition and before any major degradation occurs. The brook’s banks can be easily eroded by dogs jumping in and out of the water (this is already occurring) and this can impact the native brook trout.   
   
What makes the Hunters Cliffs environment unique and sensitive?
Much of the Hunters Cliffs trail is on very thin soil that is easily erodible. This dry environment supports a unique plant community that can be trampled by people and dogs, so keeping dogs on a leash limits the amount of destruction visitors can do to this plant community.      

How will you enforce the new policies?
We trust that people will do the right thing. Staff will be present to remind people of our new policy and educate some first-time visitors who find incorrect information on the web. The comfort and safety of visitors is our priority, and we will ask egregiously noncompliant visitors to leave.   

If I am hiking on the Richard’s Trail with my dog, what should I do when I cross the Harbor Brook Trail?
You can cross Harbor Brook Trail using the leash restrictions for the Richard Trail – on leash between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. from May 1 through September 30.

Feel free to contact our office with any questions at info@gardenpreserve.org.