High Rock Tower in Lynn with your dog: the summit park and the city leash law

The city's High Rock page is a history of the hill, and it says nothing about dogs. That does not make the summit a free-for-all. Lynn's animal control page states that no owner or keeper may let a dog run at large at any time, and that a dog is to be restrained indoors, in a safely enclosed yard or on a leash. A public park is neither of the first two, so at High Rock your dog is on a leash from the street to the tower and back.

Clean-up is covered as well. The city's park rules manual restates the Lynn dog ordinance, which holds owners responsible for removing any waste their animal leaves on public walks, recreation areas or private property. The same manual lists High Rock Park at 30 Circuit Avenue, with a play structure, a multi-use court, an open area and the tower. The city's leash-law penalties, printed on its license application, are $25 for a first offense and $50 for each one after.

The city's park list gives High Rock Park's address as 30 Circuit Avenue. Neither that list nor the High Rock page describes a parking lot, a parking fee or opening hours, and we would rather tell you that than invent a lot. Treat parking as on-street until the signs say otherwise, and stop where your dog can step out onto a sidewalk rather than into traffic. Clip the leash on before the door opens, because the walk starts on a city street.

The city's High Rock page also links a sign-up for a program it calls Starry Starry Night, but it does not say whether dogs may come to evening programs or go inside the tower. Ask the city before you plan an outing around either one. Lynn City Hall, at 3 City Hall Square, lists (781) 598-4000 as its main number, and its hours run Monday through Friday, with the longest day on Tuesday, when the building stays open until 8 PM.

A hill walk leaves grit in the coat and seeds in the feathering, and a warm bath, blow-dry and brush-out deals with both. At Dogtown, 210 Eastern Ave in Gloucester, a bath costs $55 for a dog up to 25 pounds, $65 up to 50 pounds, $75 up to 90 pounds, $85 over 90 pounds and $95 for an extra-large long coat. Add nail clipping for $16, or Shed Release for $10 when a double coat is dropping fur.

Grooming needs no evaluation, so you can book the bath online or in the Dogtown app without a first visit. Lynn sits outside the four Pup Van towns, so plan to drive; by our estimate the trip up Route 1A and Route 128 is about 45 minutes outside rush hour. If your dog is already with us for a daycare day or an overnight stay, the bath can be booked into that visit and finished before you collect it.