Dogs in Open Spaces Strategy

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With an increasing population of dogs in cities, there is growing demand for municipalities to accommodate residents and their dogs in public places and provide sustainable and safe off-leash opportunities.

Currently, there are over 50 Dogs Off-Leash sites within the City of Edmonton. The City's initial guidelines for dogs off-leash were created in the 1990s, and over the years most off-leash areas have been created as a result of requests from community groups or citizens.

The Dogs in Open Spaces Strategy created guidelines to help shape and update the City of Edmonton’s current planning, design and management practices regarding off-leash areas. Public consultation will occur with changes to current parks or the planning of future parks.

Upon approval of the Strategy, the off leash project team began to develop the
Dogs in Open Spaces 10 Year Implementation Plan.

Overview

Strategy Recommendations

Planning recommendations include access and parking, site uses, types of off-leash areas and funding
Design recommendations include boundaries, amenities, environmental protection, winter considerations, waste management, vegetation and public health and safety
Management recommendations include best practices for general maintenance, education and communications, community stewardship, enforcement and monitoring
The City of Edmonton will consider recommendations from the Dogs in Open Spaces Strategy when planning, designing and managing current and future off-leash sites

Goals of the Implementation Plan

Smart planning, design and management of off-leash areas that take into account user experience, safety and environmental sensitivities
Better adoption of rules and bylaws by users through education and enforcement
Increased safety for people and dogs in off-leash and adjacent areas
Establishing new off-leash areas in Edmonton where the need is identified
Processes for establishing and decommissioning off-leash areas
Increased educational opportunities in off-leash areas, as well as enhancing the volunteer stewardship program that currently exists
Established a base level of amenities for off-leash areas, and develop a cost-sharing model for community groups interested in enhancing off-leash areas with additional amenities