DURATION OF PILOT PROJECT: Six Months (July 31,2024 - January 31, 2025)
Project Background
In early 2022, the City Council adopted the People Parks and Pups Strategy to support a proactive approach to sharing New Westminster’s limited park space among those with and without dogs. As a ten-year framework, the Strategy provides recommendations to guide the ongoing planning, design and management of dog off-leash activity across the city.
Due to challenges with adequate space and changing land use within the Downtown neighbourhood, staff are taking the opportunity to pilot a shared use off-leash Area in Albert Crescent Park over the next six months (July 2024 – January 2025).
What is a Shared Use Off-Leash Area?
A shared use off-leash area refers to designated hours during the day when off-leash activity is permitted in a specific area of a park or open space. Outside of the posted permitted times, dogs are required to be leashed.
For the duration of the pilot period at Albert Crescent Park, designated hours for off-leash activity will be restricted to 7:00 am - 9:00 am and 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, daily. Dogs must be leashed at all other times. This approach is intended to allow for shared use of an area of the park, allocating time for off-leash activity while also maintaining leashing requirements within the Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 7586, 2013, to support other park uses throughout the day.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, please follow these important dog etiquette tips:
Take a leash: Owners must carry a leash at all times. Any dog displaying aggressive behavior must be leashed immediately to ensure safety.
Well-trained dogs only: This off-leash area is intended for dogs with excellent recall and obedience skills. Dogs that do not return immediately when called or dig holes should use a different area.
Not for training: The off-leash area is not suitable for dog training. For training sessions, fenced areas during non-peak hours are recommended for the safety of all park users.
Stay attentive and keep dogs within the designated area: Owners must always watch their dogs and ensure they stay within the designated area while they are off-leash. Distractions such as mobile phones should be avoided.
Clean up: Please keep the area pleasant for everyone.
The off-leash area in Albert Crescent Park will be marked with wooden bollards and maps that outline the zone and hours permitted for off-leash activity. Signage indicating the rules for off-leash activity and applicable bylaws will also be installed.
Please send feedback to:
- Animal Services: safety or issues related to dog park rules: 604-519-2008
- Engineering Operations: issues related to operations or maintenance: 604-526-4691
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the goal of this project and why is it being called a pilot project?
- With a growing number of dogs and dog owners in our community, this project aims to increase flexible open space that is usable by dogs, dog owners and non-dog owners by creating a designated off-leash dog area in Albert Crescent Park with specific hours of use. The City is introducing this new type of shared space to the community as a six month pilot so it can be tested for success. Success will be achieved when there is harmony between all park users, with dog owners honouring all off-leash responsibilities and hours of use.
- How do I give my feedback during the pilot period?
- During the six-month pilot period (July 2024 – January 2025), nearby residents and park users are invited to provide feedback and share their experiences at any time. Residents are asked to contact one of the following groups based on the subject of their experience or concern:
- Animal Services: safety or off-leash responsibility concerns: 604-519-2008
- Engineering Operations:- operations or maintenance: 604-526-4691
- Parks Planning: feedback on the pilot: 604-527-4567 or active@newwestcity.ca
- What happens after the six month pilot period?
- Staff will summarize and evaluate the feedback received over the six month pilot period and share the summary back with the community and with City Council. Based on this feedback, staff will make a recommendation to City Council to continue the pilot, continue the pilot with adjustments, or to end the pilot and determine a location for a fenced off-leash area.
- Will the off-leash area in Albert Crescent Park be fenced?
- No, the boundary of the dog off-leash area will not be fenced. The area will be clearly defined with wooden bollards and signage that includes rules, permitted hours of use, and a map of the designated off-leash area. Success of the shared space will depend on dog owners and non-dog owners following the rules. The City will continue to educate and remind park users of the rules throughout the six month pilot period to help minimize conflicts
- Are there similar shared use off-leash areas in the Lower Mainland and are they successful?
- Yes, there are shared off-leash areas and trails within the Lower Mainland. To provide a safe and enjoyable experience of the new shared area, off-leash etiquette and safety rules must be followed. This includes keeping your dog within sight and under control at all times. Staff have researched shared off-leash areas and adopted similar practices to the City of Burnaby, City of Coquitlam, City of Port Coquitlam and City of Port Moody.