Off-Leash Areas and Dog Parks: Planning and Policy

Contents

• About Creating Off-Leash Areas and Dog Parks
• Washington Local Governments with Off-Leash Areas and Dog Parks
• Leash Regulations for Parks and Other Public Property
• Advocacy and Support Organizations

About Creating Off-Leash Areas and Dog Parks

• Creating Dog Parks - Without Rancor, by Peter Harnik and Cerise Bridges, Christian Science Monitor, June 22, 2005
• Cause for Paws: A Look at Pooch-Friendly Parks, by Maya Avrasin, Parks and Recreation, December 2003 -  Library Loan Request
• Danger in the Dogpark, by Clare Leschin-Hoar, Parks and Recreation, July 2005 - Communities with dogparks should see safety as a major priority. -  Library Loan Request
• Fighting for Fido, by Clare Leschin-Hoar, Parks and Recreation, January 2005 - When park space is limited, who wins in a battle for the dogpark? MRSC - Library Loan Request
• From Animal Advocates to Allies, by Clare Leschin-Hoar, Parks and Recreation, January 2006 - Library Loan Request
  • How To Break Up a Dog Fight, Park and Recreation Web Extras, January 2006  - Library Loan Request
• Planning and Design
  • Doggedly Pursuing Solutions: Planning and Regulating Dog Parks, Zoning News, September 2001 Library Loan Request
  • How to Build a Dog Park in Your Community, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (San Mateo County, CA)
  • A Walk in the Park, by Rachel Roberts, Parks and Recreation, January 2007  MRSC Library Loan Request  - Dogparks look for land in tight spaces.
  • You Asked for It: Dog Park Construction and Management Resources - Athletic Turf News, September 22, 2004
• Portland, Oregon Off-Leash Program - Includes links to laws and rules, locations, frequently asked questions, and historical program background, off-leash advisory committee minutes
• Who Let the Dogs Out? by James Krohe Jr., Planning, February 2005 MRSC Library Loan Request

Washington Local Governments with Off-Leash Areas and Dog Parks

• Bellingham List of Exercise Training Areas in Bellingham Parks - Whatcom County Humane Society
• Bremerton Bark Park - Includes design, fund raising
• Centralia Dog Park Open Year-Round ( 1 MB), Your City, January-February 2009
• Everett Pet off-leash Areas - Everett Parks and Recreation
• Kitsap Dog Parks - Kitsap Dog Parks  
• Lakewood  Fort Steilacoom (regional) Park - A 22-acre off-leash dog park at Fort Steilacoom Park was created from financial contributions from the County and two  neighboring cities (University Place and Steilacoom), and a very active community group called Protect our Pets (POP), who raised funds and also played a lead role in design and park management. 
• Poulsbo Raab Park - Bark Park
• Puyallup Off-Leash Dog Park
• Seattle
  • Off-Leash Areas for Dogs - City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Department - includes rules, locations
  • Seattle Citizens for off-leash Areas (COLA) - Non profit that has the responsibility of maintaining and stewarding the off-leash sites approved by the Seattle City Council
• Tacoma Metropolitan Park District Off-Leash Dog Park - Rogers Park
• Vancouver Clark County Off-leash Dog Areas - Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation

Leash Regulations for Parks and Other Public Property

• Bellingham Pet Related Parks Ordinances - Whatcom County Humane Society - Lists off-leash areas
• Bremerton Rules and Regulations for Bark Park
• Clark County Code Ch. 8.15 -  Dog Leash Areas
• Covington Dog Use Areas Policy - Establishes park and trail areas for use by dogs and their handlers.
• Edmonds Municipal Code Section 5.05.060 - Dogs on Public Grounds - Allows dogs to be exercised on leashes in specific areas
• Everett Municipal Code Section 9.06.060 - Animals At Large - Section E provides that the parks director may designate certain areas in parks as allowing dogs and/or other pets to be off-leash.
• Federal Way Municipal Code Section 4-147 - Running At Large - Provides exceptions including off-leash area within French Lake Park
  • Federal Way Ordinance 05-495 - Provides 12 month trial for off-leash area in French Park
• King County Code Section 7.12.410 ( 79 KB) - Pets in County Park Facilities - Exceptions to leash requirements include off-leash areas and provide regulations for those area
• Lakewood Municipal Code Section 8.76.330 - Pets in City Park Facilities - Allows pets only in designated areas, pets must be on leash.
• Redmond Caring to be Dog Friendly ( 634 KB), Redmond Focus, Spring 2006
• Seattle Municipal Code Section 18.12.080 - Animals Running At Large Prohibited - Lists areas where dogs may run at large and regulations
• Sequim - In 2007, with the help from the tail wagging group known as the “Dog Park Pals,” The City of Sequim developed an off-leash dog park with almost 2 acres of fenced in park space. In this eastern most area of Carrie Blake  - Sequim Public Works
  • Sequim Dog Parks - Volunteer run dog park created in Carrie Blake Park
    • Sequim Dog Park Rules ( 446 KB)
    • Sequim Dog Park Guidelines - Useful Tips for Dog Owners ( 333 KB)
• Skagit County Code Section 9.41.150 (36 KB) - Pets and Animals in County Parks - Leash required at all times
• Spokane Municipal Code Section 10.03.110 - Animals Prohibited in Riverfront Park and City Streets Authorized to be Used for Special Events
• Vancouver Municipal Code
  • Section 8.24.110 - Animals Running at Large - Provides exceptions for off-leash areas and regulations
  • Section 8.24.120 - Leash Requirement - Requires leash except for specific conditions including off-leash areas

Advocacy and Support Organizations

• ExplorerDog.com - Personal Web site which lists news, events and links parks in Washington State
• Island County FETCH - An organization dedicated to providing dog owners of Island County with areas where they are free to exercise their canine friends off-leash without disturbing others
• King County Serve Our Dog Areas – Website for volunteer organizations that helps with maintenance of several King County dog parks
• Kitsap Dog Parks, Inc.- Stewards of Bandix Dog Park and Howe Farm Off-Leash Dog Park
• Lakewood Protect Our Pets (POP)  - A community group whose mission is to establish, promote and maintain an off-leash area at Lakewood's Fort Steilacoom Park for both dog owners and their companions to socialize and exercise is a safe, recreational environment.
• People for Off-Leash Recreation (POLR) - Bellevue - East Side group that seek to expand opportunities for off-leash activities in  local communities and preserve and enhance the existing off-leash areas
• Seattle Citizens for Off leash Areas (COLA) - Has the responsibility of maintaining and stewarding the off-leash sites approved by the Seattle City Council

Contact Page Editor

Related Resources

MRSC Index - Park rules and regulations, park codes, dogs in parks, off-leash parks, closing hours