While visiting the farmers market last week, I was surprised and disappointed to learn that dogs are no longer welcome in this area of the park during this event. Several of the well-behaved, leashed dogs were turned away. New Canaan has always been a very welcoming community for dogs and I hope this new policy will be reversed.

(Part 1)Response I got to same question:

Hi!
Thank you for the inquiry. Every vendor has at least one dog/pet at home. We have come to enjoy dogs at the market. The market sympathizes with those who are inconvenienced by this issue. The market even accommodates the dog owners with a dog biscuit booth in the summer months made by a family in New Canaan with human grade ingredients.
The market has tried in the past to respectfully ask the community, while at the same time accomplish the goal of abiding by the state statute, by requesting those with dogs to refrain from allowing the dogs to come in direct contact with tables and tents of produce, baked items at the market. There have been signs to ask customers to help us with the market by walking their dogs on the grassy areas and not allow them near the food items.

Part2:

Unfortunately, this has been ignored by enough dog owners that the state sign had to come out. Something needed to be done before patrons start to complain about the possibility of dogs sniffing/licking on products on tables and peeing on boxes, plants for sale, potential dog bites/fights. A major health violation which could have forced the health dept to shut the market down entirely. While the majority of dogs and owners are well aware of potentials and take proactive measures while shopping, there are a few that are not. Some dogs have even been on leashes that reach across the market from vendor to vendor. The health department does come periodically and has the ability to shut the market down, should there be a risk to the general community. The health department in Greenwich has enforced this policy and will immediately revoke any permit for a vendor caught selling to a patron with a dog/pet. Greenwich does not have pretty trees, grassy areas to accommodate dog walkers like New Canaan. So, the privilege of having a farmers market could be taken away.
Also, last summer, there was a dog bite at a market in a neighboring town, which led to insurance liability issues with that market, vendors, individual customers, the town.
All it takes is one incident to ruin it for the rest.
The market is sorry for any inconvenience and hopes your family will still be able to enjoy the market in the future.
Sincerely,
Lexi
New Canaan Farmers Market