Off Leash Dog Parks Nanaimo

Fido To Have More Freedom In Nanaimo

City council voted this week to phase in nine off leash dog parks over the next three years.

The parks Fido will be able to romp in this year (2010) will include Beban, which already has an off leash area which will be expanded and improved, Beaufort Park, Divers Lake Park and Coliery Dam Park (upper reservoir).

The use of the off leash area of these parks will be phased in over the next few months with Beaufort and Coliery Dam being made open to off leash dog use on May 1. The off leash area of Divers Lake will not be open until Oct. 1st and will only be opened seasonally from Oct. 1 - Mar. 31st to avoid summertime use conflicts with other parks users.

The area of Coliery Dam which will be used for off leash is the upper reservoir only, and not the entire park. It will also only be open to Fido from 6:00 am - 10:00 am daily while the other off leash parks will be open during regular park hours.

Dog owners will be responsible for the full control of their dogs including keeping their dogs in site at all times and cleaning up any 'deposits' which is their duty anywhere else in the city.

The off leash parks will be closely monitored by city staff during the first year to identify any conflicts and decide if the exercise is successful.

Dog 'Off Leash' Park Rules

• Dogs must be properly licensed and vaccinated in order to use an off-leash area.
• Female dogs in heat are not allowed.
• Owners are required by law to pick up their dog's feces and to properly dispose of in trash cans located throughout the area.
• Fines will be levied for non-compliance.
• Owners must be in attendance with their dog at all times within the boundaries of the dog off-leash area.
• Owners must obey all park rules and relevant parking requirements.
• Dogs must be on a leash prior to entering and upon leaving the off-leash area.
• A maximum of two dogs per person in the dog off-leash area.
• Owners must respect other park visitors by keeping their dog from running up to and jumping on other people and their dogs.
• Identified agressive dogs and prohibited breeds must be muzzled and leashed. Pets must be under the control of the owner, and the dog must be in sight of the owner at all times.
• No puppies under 4 months are permitted. Owners are personally liable for any damages or injury inflicted by their dog.