Community Leagues are able to apply to designate a temporary dog park within fully enclosed spaces on licenced land or parkland. This space is able to be used both as a public dog park and for private rentals.
Licensed areas are owned and maintained by Community Leagues.
Note: only Community Leagues are able to apply to participate in this program
How to Apply
If you are interested in having your Community League take part and are willing to help out, contact your local Community League. Community Leagues will then contact offleash@edmonton.ca to make an application.
Temporary Dog Park Locations
Locations will also be shared by @YEG Parks on Facebook, Instagram and X.
| Community League | Location | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Belmead | 9109 182 Street NW | 7am-10pm |
| Elmwood | 16415 83 Avenue NW | 7am-10pm |
| Idylwylde | 8631 81 Street NW | 7am-10pm |
| Kenilworth | 7104 87 Avenue NW | 7am-9pm |
| Lewis Estates | 924 Picard Drive NW | 7am-10pm |
| Northmount | 9208 140 Avenue NW | 7am-10pm |
| Queen Alexandra | 10425 University Avenue NW | 5am-11pm |
| Riverbend | 258 Rhatigan Road E NW | 7am-9pm |
| Summerside Operated by Horizon Community League | 1505 70 Street SW | 5am-11pm |
| West Jasper Sherwood | 9620 152 Street NW | 6am-10pm |
| Wîhkwêntôwin (Oliver) | 10326 118 Street NW | 7am-10pm |
Responsibilities of Community Leagues
The following conditions must be agreed to by the Community League in order to operate a temporary off-leash area:
- Designate an on-site contact person who will be the main contact between the Community League and City of Edmonton about the temporary off-leash area
- Weatherproof signage must be present on-site with Bylaw and League contact information
- The League must provide temporary fencing if an existing enclosed space is not available
- The League must ensure that the off-leash area is physically accessible for all potential users including those using mobility devices
- The Community League should consider providing dog waste bags to ensure users are able to remove defecation
- Dogs must be on-leash outside the temporary dog park and stay on designated trails and paths
- During days and times designated for off-leash use, the dog park may not be used for any other recreation activity
- Once closed for the season, the temporary dog park must be cleaned to ensure it is ready for alternative use, at the League’s expense
- The Community League must have and maintain in good standing a Tripartite License Agreement with the City for the location
- The League must inform their insurance provider that off-leash use will be taking place within the dog park
- The League is responsible for monitoring use of the dog park, including adherence to public health measures: they must check the dog park for dog waste, maintenance concerns and other issues at minimum once a week
- The League should consider regular sanitization of common contact points including entry gates and waste container lids
- If noise, waste or other complaints are reported about the space, Peace Officers (Animal Control Officers) will review the location for suitability
Temporary off-leash areas must be physically accessible to all residents. The Dogs Off-Leash program is able to support accessibility even before applications are submitted. This could include meetings to conduct site accessibility evaluations, providing resources for the purchase of infrastructure or providing educational materials around accessibility.
Educational Resources
Educational resources will be provided for an overview of key considerations in terms of the journey to the off-leash space, the off-leash space itself and potential long-term improvements to improve accessibility.
Temporary Ramps
Temporary ramps will still be provided for all Leagues that require them to maintain barrier-free access to off-leash areas.
Rental of Outdoor Spaces
The program now includes a clear process for Leagues to rent outdoor spaces within their licensed areas for off-leash activities such as dog birthday parties or private training. This use is already permitted under the Tripartite Agreement, similar to hall rentals. By expanding the program to allow this use, Community Leagues have an additional revenue option, while also meeting the community's need for safe, enclosed, off-leash spaces for private rental.
The Benefits of Off-Leash Areas
Approximately one out of every 3 households in Edmonton have a dog. In fact, there are now more dogs than children in Edmonton!
Many dog owners consider their dogs to be a part of the family and want to provide safe and fun opportunities for both their dogs and themselves to exercise and interact with other members of their community.
There are many benefits of having a community off-leash area:
- Provide a place for both dogs and their owners to interact and connect with other members of their community. Themed parties, social media pages and dog playdate groups have been formed by many off-leash area visitors to increase the sense of community within the space.
- The presence of off-leash areas can help to deter crime and other undesirable activities. Dogs need to be exercised every day, regardless of the weather and even on the coldest days dogs and their owners will visit off-leash areas.
- Most responsible dog owners would prefer to exercise their dogs in a safe place. Off-leash areas help to reduce instances of dogs being off-leash in parks, playgrounds, school yards, sports fields and sidewalks.
- Dogs that are exercised appropriately usually show fewer undesirable behaviours while out on walks and at home. Off-leash areas can help to reduce unwanted behaviours such as barking and aggression towards other dogs or people.
- The presence of dog owners within the off-leash area can be a deterrent to vandalism and other crime in the area.
- Provide a place for dog owners in the community to form friendships. In many cases, these friendships extend beyond the off-leash area and help to build a sense of belonging and connectedness in the larger community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Leagues may be able to temporarily fence an area on parkland. Contact offleash@edmonton.ca for more information.
Each Community League participating in the program may manage this differently. Some may rent only to Community League members while others may be open to rent to non-members. Only Community Leagues taking part in the Community League Temporary Dog Park program are able to offer spaces for off-leash use.
Please reach out to participating Community Leagues directly about private rentals of off-leash space.
The on-site contact person is the main point of contact between the Community League and the City of Edmonton.
This person would be responsible for monitoring the temporary off-leash area, ensuring that dog waste and garbage does not accumulate, and participating in any discussions with the City of Edmonton around noise, waste or other concerns around the off-leash area.