The first of the District’s new off-leash dog areas, Merrill Park, opened in summer 2022.
The second off-leash area located at Brennan Park opened in spring 2024. The third off-leash area located along the Powerline Service Road in Brackendale is anticipated to open in the coming months. The remaining location, John Hunter Park in Valleycliffe, requires an investment in fencing and a timeline is still to be determined.
Each of these locations were chosen based on community feedback received in 2021 that determined a list of proposed pilot locations for off-leash dogs, and a set of conditions that owners are expected to meet in order to use them, such as carry a dog leash and ensure it’s visible, ensure the dog is wearing a valid dog licence, and dispose of dog waste in a garbage disposal bin. These locations reflect the community’s desire to be in open, largely unrestricted areas with their dogs. The areas are routinely patrolled by Bylaw Enforcement along with additional enforcement in the “no go areas” of the community.
The first of the District’s new off-leash dog areas, Merrill Park, is now open.
Signage has been installed at all entrances to the park to indicate that the park is an off-leash trail area and to educate users about the conditions they must follow to have their dog off-leash.
The next off-leash area, under the BC Hydro lines in Brackendale, is expected to open in early 2023.
The District of Squamish conducted a survey to collect public feedback on an updated list of proposed pilot locations in Squamish for off-leash dogs and a set of conditions owners must meet to use those locations. The survey was open from September 24 - October 12, 2021.
Based on the feedback received during the fall 2021 engagement period, Council endorsed a plan to trial the following off-leash dog locations as a pilot project:
The locations that require an investment in fencing and infrastructure will move forward as part of the 2023 budget process.
You can find information on the engagement process, including a summary of what the District heard in the survey, maps of the locations that were considered, and a list of the conditions that dog owners must follow in order to use the off-leash locations at: https://letstalksquamish.ca/dog-off-leash-locations
With a growing population of dogs and dog owners in the community, the District identified the need to address off-leash dogs, and dog owner responsibility. Keeping dogs and the community safe is an important issue for the District. Impacts from off-leash dogs can range from little to very high consequences for people and the environment. In addition, the District is responsible for ensuring its bylaws remain up to date with changing times, complied with, and enforceable.
Public engagement on a set of proposed locations was conducted in 2019, however in 2020 the emerging COVID-19 pandemic forced staff to focus on other priorities. Since public engagement in 2019, staff narrowed down the original proposed options based on wildlife interface and access issues to develop additional new sites to propose to the community for public feedback.
The District reviewed all feedback to date regarding dog off-leash areas and considered factors such as:
The District will do a full review of the Animal Control Bylaw in 2022 as part of the ongoing work on the off-leash dogs process.
Spring 2022: Anticipated opening of the some of the off-leash dog pilot locations
Fall 2021: Public survey on an updated list of proposed off-leash dog locations. Based on the feedback received, Council endorsed a plan to move forward with four locations as a pilot project. Council also directed staff to conduct engagement to find a downtown off-leash dog location.
May 2021: District staff began reviewing past public feedback, as well as internal engagement with staff (Parks, Planning, Wildlife, Environment, and Bylaw Enforcement) and agency stakeholders (RCMP and BC Conservation Office) on the proposed dog off-leash locations and the draft Animal Control Bylaw
March 2020: As the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, Bylaw Enforcement staff turned their focus to emerging priorities. The project was placed on hold until 2021.
February 2020: The District of Squamish podcast, District B-Sides, aired a podcast discussing off leash dogs in Squamish. Listen to the podcast here.
October 2019: Online comment period open for those who could not attend the open house.
September 2019: Open house held to review the suggested locations and times, owner responsibility conditions, and updates to the bylaw. (View the poster boards)
April-May 2019: Online survey to gather community input into dog off-leash areas and owner responsibility conditions.
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Comments
Erin Schaber Oct 2, 2021, 11:24 AM (4 years ago)
Could the fisherman’s park area be considered as well.
David J Lassmann Sep 27, 2021, 11:41 AM (4 years ago)
The area selected for Brackendale is not of interest for dog owners. The more suitable and popular area would be Fisherman's Park.
Holly Oct 7, 2021, 2:01 PM (3 years ago)
I completely agree and would like to see fisherman’s on the list. This area is my favourite for dog walks. And for dogs to swim.
Gord Lyster Sep 27, 2021, 9:03 AM (4 years ago)
I think, personally, too much time and energy is being spent on something that is doomed for failure from the get go. With so much space and so many options to run your dog off leash, how many outdoor loving dog owners are going to restrict themselves to a handful of designated arenas? And, how much time, energy and cost will it take to enforce these regulations? Yes, some dogs sometimes need to be leashed and in some areas sometimes all dogs should be leased. To address these “sometimes”, education is the answer, or as the survey calls it, “dog owner responsibility”. Education in the form of constant and seasonal notices on when, where and why leashing is needed. Helping with education could include regular input from the Squamish River Watershed Society, the Squamish Trails Society and SORCA to name a few. Spend your time and energy on “dog owner responsibility” because what’s a better use of resources? Constant spaced educational reminders on the when, where and why or pay to police the multitude of dog owners taking advantage of the uncountable places to walk their dogs. To me, education has the better chance of desired outcome while dog parks only is doomed for failure.
Maureen Mackell Sep 25, 2021, 9:25 AM (4 years ago)
To add to my earlier comment - education and cooperation should be the focus of this challenging issue not a restrictive plan that creates conflict and cannot be managed. The aim should be civility, helping people understand what is acceptable behaviour and what is not acceptable for a dog owner.
Maureen Mackell Sep 25, 2021, 8:47 AM (4 years ago)
I suggest this plan will not meet the needs of people and dogs in this community. The plan seems near sighted and unrealistic which will likely invite an attitude of people not paying it any mind which then creates a need for increased enforcement and /or divisiveness among citizens. It seems also to disregard very important areas people and dogs are currently accessing. Thank you.
Pat cunliffe Sep 10, 2021, 7:51 AM (4 years ago)
Garibaldi springs golf course. At least some of the old course should be officially made an off leash dog sanctuary.
Unofficially it already is.
Linda Bird Sep 2, 2021, 10:32 AM (4 years ago)
I completely disagree to using Hendrickson fields in the off baseball season for a dog park. The grass would be ruined. We already have a hard time getting proper maintenance on the fields. This would be a disaster for Squamish Slo-Pitch community.
Rachel Aug 17, 2021, 7:49 PM (4 years ago)
Would be nice if each sub community had an area for off leash so people don’t have to go far from their homes every day to walk their dog. Shared sections of trails would be great as well, ambleside is a great example of this.
jim gracie Jul 2, 2021, 8:51 AM (4 years ago)
Mamquam river dike and golf course dike trails are suitable for off leash dogs.. However, the Dipper trail between the dikes runs close alongside the spawning channels / This are is a designated Sensitive Habitat Area for the year round protection of juvenile fish and not only the spawners.. The Dipper trail is easily accessible from the dike trails and needs to have warning signs placed at the entrances.. The signs should read " Sensitive Habitat Area for year round protection of juvenile salmon. Dogs must be on leash and must keep out of the spawning channels ."
Anne Mar 5, 2021, 6:06 PM (4 years ago)
Great! Would be nice to have a few more options for those of visiting Squamish for the day, between 11 and 4.... We like to come go out for lunch, shop in town... and take our doggies for a walk off leash! Not bad to have our money coming in....
:)
Anne from Bowen Island
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