The special Clark Recreation event gave local dogs a chance to cool off, paddle around and socialize in the pool at 201 Oak Ridge Road after the season’s usual programming had wrapped up. Small dogs had the pool from noon to 1 p.m., followed by large dogs from 1 to 2 p.m., a format that gave each group its own time in the water.
The photos from the day capture the easygoing spirit of the gathering: dogs wading beside their handlers, a life-jacketed swimmer climbing out of the pool and groups of wet, happy pups meeting along the deck. For some dogs, the shallow edge was enough; others ventured farther into the water, with owners close by.
Doggy Dip has become a fitting bridge between Clark’s summer recreation season and the arrival of fall. It offers residents a reason to return to a familiar community space one more time, while giving pet owners a chance to meet neighbors who share the same affection for their animals.
Clark Recreation asked participants to register in advance and organized the swim by dog size to keep the afternoon comfortable for both pets and handlers. The event followed earlier Doggy Dip programming at the pool, which first welcomed canine swimmers after the traditional season in 2024.
For the families who attended this year, the event was less about laps than a final splash of summer — a sunny afternoon of wagging tails, wet paws and community fun before the pool turned its attention to the next season.
