COLUMBIA, S.C. — Officials with Congaree National Park want to hear from you about possible policy changes related to dogs on the boardwalk trail at the park.
Park officials say they are considering changes to the policy that allows dogs on the boardwalk trail due to increased visitation, pets off leash and pet waste left behind.
The current regulations allow dog owners and their pets to use the park’s 2.6 mile boardwalk as long as dogs are kept on a leash no more than 6 feet in length and all pet waste is cleaned up.
With more visitors coming to the park, officials say there has also been a substantial increase in visitors bringing their dogs. And while most pet owners visiting the park follow park regulations, officials say there has been an unfortunate increase in violations of established park rules, the most frequent consisting of dogs off leash, dogs on leashes longer than the permitted maximum length, and failure of owners to clean up pet waste.
While violations of park regulations regarding dogs in the park have occurred in several areas of the park, they are most noticeable and problematic on the Boardwalk Loop Trail due to the limited area and enclosed space, according to officials.
Officials say the proximity of visitors and dogs passing one another and the enclosed nature of the Boardwalk, combined with the increase in park visitation, has led to a rise in negative interactions between dogs and humans and/or other dogs, some of which have resulted in minor injuries to either dogs or visitors.
Park management is currently considering the following four possible solutions to address this issue.
Proposed Solution #1:
Closure of the Entire Boardwalk Loop to Dogs
This solution would result in the closure of the entirety of the Boardwalk Loop Trail to dogs, with the limited exception of those dogs that meet the specifications of a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Visitors seeking to hike park trails with their dogs would be able to access other non-boardwalk trails from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center via the Firefly Trail that connects to the Sims Trail.
Proposed Solution #2:
Closure of the Elevated Boardwalk to Dogs
This potential solution would see the sections of the Boardwalk Loop Trail between Weston Lake and Firefly Trail to Bluff Campground, as well as the section between the Firefly Trail to the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and where the boardwalk transition from elevated to low .2 miles from the visitor center.
The boardwalk from the visitor center to its transition to the low boardwalk and then to the intersection of the boardwalk and the Weston Lake Trail near the Weston Lake overlook would remain accessible to those visitors with dogs.
The elevated sections would be closed to dogs with the limited exception of those dogs that meet the specifications of a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Proposed Solution #3:
Day or Season-Specific Closures
This potential solution would see park management determine either A) specific days of the week or B) certain periods of the year during which dogs would be either permitted or prohibited from all or certain portions of the Boardwalk Loop Trail.
These closures would not apply to those visitors with dogs that meet the specifications of a service animal as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Proposed Solution #4:
Maintain Current Park Policy Regarding Dogs on the Boardwalk Loop Trail
This solution would see the park make no changes to its policy allowing visitors with dogs to use the Boardwalk Loop Trail. Park rangers will continue to enforce park regulations, issuing warnings and/or citations for violations observed.
Public Comments
Public comments will be accepted between April 6 and May 21, 2023.
Those wishing to comment proposed changes must submit their comments through the public comment section of the website or mail comments to:
Congaree National Park
ATTN: Superintendent Greg Hauburger
100 National Park Road
Hopkins, SC 29061
Comments will not be accepted verbally, through social media or by fax.