Dog Policies
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

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Why did the Preserve change the leash policy?  

The Preserve felt that our mission to conserve and share was becoming out of balance. Allowing dogs off leash at all times was negatively impacting our ability to share the natural lands and protect its natural resources. This concern had been growing among the board of directors and staff for years, and in 2023 the board requested an official review of the dog policy. Neither the Rockefeller family nor the Preserve had previously conducted such a review.  

 

Who made the decision?  

We organized an eight-person task force composed of Preserve staff, board directors, a colleague at Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and community members – all of whom have enjoyed the Preserve’s natural lands with their dogs. Our nine-month process included reviewing lots of data and discussing how this information relates to the Preserve’s mission, vision, and values. The Preserve’s board of directors and members of the Rockefeller family enthusiastically supported the task force recommendations.  

How can unleashed dogs impact the environment?

There are two main environmental issues caused by unleashed dogs. One is vegetation trampling and subsequent erosion of the pond and stream banks. The fencing we installed in 2020 has mitigated this, but the problem persists, especially along our streams. The second issue is the negative impact on wildlife. By chasing wildlife, dogs put real stress on animals that may be nesting, courting, or feeding their young. Small amphibian breeding pools (active in May and June) are especially vulnerable to disturbance by dogs.  

 

How can unleashed dogs impact a visitor’s experience? 

Some people are not comfortable around dogs, no matter how well trained and behaved the dog may be. Excited and happy dog behaviors such as quickly approaching, jumping up, or sniffing someone can make some 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 will the Preserve 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 internet. The comfort and safety of visitors is a priority, and we will ask egregiously noncompliant visitors to leave.  

 

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 is quite rare in Maine. There is very little development along the Little Harbor Brook and its headwaters start in Acadia National Park, which means permanent protection from development. 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. The presence of brook trout and American marten (marten photos confirmed by ANP and state of Maine) is additional evidence that the Harbor Brook watershed is quite healthy. Modeling done by The Nature Conservancy shows this area as the part of the Preserve most likely to act as climate refugia (aka, an area where many plants and animal species can move to as climate change forces a redistribution of species across the landscape). 

 

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. Keeping dogs on a leash limits the amount of destruction visitors can do to this plant community.  
 

What if my dog is well-behaved or there is nobody around – can they be walked off leash during the on-leash times? 

No. 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 forget my leash? 

The Preserve will provide leashes for temporary use. 

  
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. 

 

Since the Preserve took ownership of the natural lands in 2015, have visitors been compliant with the off-leash policy (under voice control, in sight, clear of horses, picking up waste, considerate of other visitors)?  

Compliance has been relatively strong, and we thank our mindful and respectful visitors for doing their part to keep the natural lands clean and safe. These new policies are not intended to be a punishment to the dog owning members of our community. Instead, these new policies reflect a simple reality at the Preserve: lots of visitors bring dogs (especially in the summer), and dogs have a collective impact on the visitor experience and the natural environment. We trust that our visitors will do the right thing and comply with the policies going forward.  

     

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