At best, dogs are tolerated on leash in state parks, including Ottawa. The ONLY place here that a dog may be
off-leash is in the water. Once on shore, it must be leashed.
Because of numerous complaints, the state is presently considering moving the area to a location away from the
boat launch.
Review: Kanook and I revisited the area because it was discussed in the Milwaukee dog parks newsgroup. I'm
not recommending this area as being within our off-leash dog park scope of interest. The area is the side of a
boat launch for Ottawa Lake and is mostly used by campers in the park, thus a provision was made for campers
that have their dogs with them. Consequently, there is not many feet of beach available, though what is there is
clean gravel. The grassy area is very messy from geese and dog stools. No clean up bags or waste containers
were present. In the past I have seen people fishing from this area which makes the possibility of fish hooks in the
lake bottom a threat to dogs and swimmers alike.
I met with the ranger on duty and when the dog beach was mentioned, the first reaction was that I had a
complaint. Upon identifying myself it was requested not to advertise the area as they have had many complaints
of dogs not being under control and messes. So much so that it is likely to be either eliminated or moved to an
obscure section of the lake.
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