Off-Leash Dog Areas

The city has five off-leash dog areas which includes two fenced dog parks – one downtown off Maple Street, and the other in north Port Coquitlam on Shaughnessy Street opposite Chester Place.  The three unfenced park spaces, Skyline, Chelsea and Castle Parks are shared by the general public and residents with off-leash dogs. These areas are intended to diminish off-leash conflicts in other parks. For more information about the City’s leash laws, click here.

Rules for Humans:

Please note: You are liable for any injury or damage caused by your dog and are fully responsible for your dog’s actions. Clean up after your dog and dispose of waste in designated containers.

  • Stay in the area and have a leash on hand at all times.
  • Keep dogs under firm voice and visual control at all times.
  • Maximum of three dogs per owner.
  • Children under age 12 must be with an adult.
  • No smoking or eating.
  • Use area at your own risk.

Rules for Dogs (with help from your human):

  • No digging
  • Try not to bark too much.
  • You must be at least 4 months old to play here.
  • You must have a dog license
  • You must have up-to-date vaccinations.
  • Be good! If you act aggressively, your owner must leash you and remove you from the area.
  • You can’t play here if you’ve been deemed aggressive under Animal Control Bylaw, 2009, No. 3670.

Dog Waste Bins

In the City’s efforts to reduce dog waste from the garbage stream and regional landfills, Dog Waste only bins are located at 19 locations throughout the City. These bins will be emptied weekly and taken to a wastewater treatment plant for safe disposal. Please refer to the map to find out where the new bins are located. We thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our city clean. Questions/concerns? email publicworks@portcoquitlam.ca.

Fenced Dog Parks

Maple Street Dog Park

Location: Maple Street and Bury Avenue, downtown Port Coquitlam (map and directions)

Hours: Dawn to dusk

Access and Parking: The site can be accessed from the Traboulay PoCo Trail or Maple Street. Street parking is limited in the area; dog owners are encouraged to walk there from home or from the parking area in nearby Gates Park.

Rules: Download off-leash area rules.

Features:

  • fencing around entire site
  • double-gated entry area
  • 0.3 acres in size
  • surfaced in wood chips
  • seating
  • signage
Shaughnessy Park Off-leash Dog Area

Location: 3300-block of Shaughnessy Street, across from Chester Place (map and directions)

Hours: 
Dawn to dusk

Rules: Download off-leash area rules.

Features:

  • fencing around entire site
  • more than a half-hectare in size (more than an acre)
  • parking lot
  • double-gated entry area
  • enclosed area for small dogs with a 45-metre-long trail circuit
  • a 292-metre-long forested trail circuit
  • benches and picnic table
  • garbage receptacle for litter and dog waste
  • signage
  • water foundation (funded by user group)

Unfenced Dog Parks

Background

The city began investigating additional off-leash areas to address growing demand. Port Coquitlam has about 8,000 registered dogs and two fenced dog parks: the larger Shaughnessy Park Dog Off-leash Area on the north side, and the smaller Downtown Dog Off-leash Area on the south side.

However, the dog parks can be busy during peak times and many dog owners are not within walking distance to them. Off-leash dogs are regularly seen in city parks and trails, raising concerns about safety, dog waste, and damage to sports fields and ecological areas.

Chelsea Park Off-leash Dog Area

Location: 1277 Chelsea Avenue (map and directions)

Hours: 
Dawn to dusk

Rules:

Signs with the rules for use will be posted along the boundaries.

Given that the leash-optional areas are unfenced shared spaces, owners must:

  • Remain on-site
  • Keep their dogs under control at all times
  • Clean up after their dogs
  • Ensure their dogs are not violent or aggressive
Skyline Park Off-leash Dog Area

Location: 1300 block Eastern and Western Drive  (map and directions)

Hours: 
Dawn to dusk

Rules:

Signs with the rules for use will be posted along the boundaries.

Given that the leash-optional areas are unfenced shared spaces, owners must:

  • Remain on-site
  • Keep their dogs under control at all times
  • Clean up after their dogs
  • Ensure their dogs are not violent or aggressive
Castle Park Off-leash Dog Area

Location: 2500 Block Palisade Crescent (map and directions)

Hours: 
Dawn to dusk

Rules:

Signs with the rules for use will be posted along the boundaries.

Given that the leash-optional areas are unfenced shared spaces, owners must:

  • Remain on-site
  • Keep their dogs under control at all times
  • Clean up after their dogs
  • Ensure their dogs are not violent or aggressive

Contact

Public Works Division
Tel: 604.927.5496
Email: publicworks@portcoquitlam.ca

Applicable Bylaws