Port Coquitlam has five off-leash areas for dogs to roam free in the city.
Now, council is looking to add six more sites — a decision that will be made later this year, closer to the 2025 capital budget talks — to install next year.
The locations, which are scattered around PoCo, are planned for parts of:
- Birchwood Park
- Dominion Park
- Lions Park
- Traboulay PoCo Trail
- Maple Street (extension)
- Kilmer Park
- Thompson Park
At Tuesday’s committee in council meeting, Jan. 9, councillors were generally in favour of city staff’s recommendations for the first four parks; however, they cited possible conflicts with sporting groups that play at Kilmer and Thompson parks.
Coun. Steve Darling said converting the northern section of Lions Park, next to Lougheed Highway, is “a no-brainer,” but he ruled out dog agility playgrounds.
As for the Traboulay PoCo Trail spot, north of Dominion Avenue, it would have water access, but the city would have to negotiate a crossing with a landowner.
Staff say the park choices are based on community feedback for more off-leash spaces following the launch of the PAWsition survey campaign in 2019.
The sites were also selected based on their size, buffer from residential areas, accessibility to water sources, availability of parking, drainage, surfacing and shade, among other things, and to avoid schools, sports fields and playgrounds.
The cost to add or expand the dog areas will come before council this spring.
Mayor Brad West said more off-leash dog places are needed “especially as housing becomes denser and backyards become rarer."
Last year, the city issued about 4,600 dog licences to PoCo residents — up from about 3,900 in 2019, staff said.
Currently, PoCo has five dog parks:
Fenced dog parks
- Maple Street (at Bury Avenue)
- Shaughnessy Street (across from Chester Place)
Unfenced dog parks
- Chelsea Park
- Skyline Park
- Castle Park
Off-leash dog park rules
- You must stay in the area and have a leash on hand at all times
- You must keep dogs under firm voice and visual control at all times
- You cannot have more than three dogs (per owner) on site
- You must be over the age of 12 (or accompanied by an adult)
- You cannot smoke or eat at the park
- You must use the area at your own risk