Paws in Parks

Park Off-Leash Times 1. Alexander Daily: 6am-10am & 4pm-10pm 2. Arbutus Daily: 6am-10pm 3. Banfield Summer: April 1-September 30, 6am-9am & 5pm-10pm Winter: October 1-March 31, 6am-10pm 4. Beacon Hill, south of Dallas Road, from Douglas Street to Clover Point Daily: all year round 5. Clover Point Daily: all year round 6. Gonzales Beach all times September 1 to May 31 7. Oswald Daily: 6am-10pm 8. Pemberton Daily: 6am-10pm 9. Redfern Daily: 6am-10am & 4pm-10pm 10. Songhees Hilltop Daily: 6am-10pm 11. Topaz Monday-Friday 6am-10am & 4pm-10pm Saturday-Sunday 6am-8am & 5pm-10pm (see park signs for more details) 12. Victoria West Daily: 6am to 10pm

The City of Victoria's Paws in Parks program balances and accommodates the needs of all park users, including dogs. The program provides off-leash access to accommodate the needs of dog owners to exercise their pets; to reduce the congestion of dogs and their owners along Dallas Road; and to ensure the basic needs of other parks users are not unduly compromised by off-leash areas.

There are 12 off-leash parks in Victoria. For a list of these parks and helpful information, please see below.

• Paws in Parks brochure [PDF - 464KB]
• Off-Leash Parks in Victoria [PDF - 213KB]

Paws in Parks sites have specific areas and times for dogs to exercise off-leash, provided they remain under their owner's control and that owners carry a leash with them at all times. With the exception of designated off-leash areas and private property, all dogs must be on a leash in the City of Victoria.

Each Paws in Parks site includes signage, a dispenser stocked with biodegradable doggie bags, and a trash bin.

The Paws in Parks program was designed by a steering committee comprised of representatives with a wide range of interests and areas of expertise concerning both the usage of area parks and dogs. Committee members included City Parks staff and members of the public. Two City Councillors attended as non-voting committee members. Specific parks and hours, a revised bylaw and an information program were developed after committee meetings were held over a 15-month period with extensive community discussion.

Rules to Paws For

In addition to knowing when and where dogs are allowed off-leash, there are some simple rules for handlers to follow:

• Make sure your dog is wearing a current licence tag on their collar.
• Pick up after your dog and dispose of waste in a garbage can.
• Keep your dog outside of playground boundaries.
• Do not allow your dog to dig holes in a City park.
• Do not let your dog jump up on people.
• Ensure you have control of your dog at all times, whether on or off-leash.

No Dog Areas

No dogs, other than certified assistance dogs, are allowed on or off-leash, in the following areas:

• A small area of Beacon Hill Park (the heron rookery), located south of Good Acre Lake
• Ross Bay Cemetery
• Gonzales Beach between June 1 and August 31
• Pioneer Square
• Playgrounds with sand, rubber, or wood chips.

Dog Licence Fees

Male $40
Neutered Male $30
Female $40
Spayed Female $30

The City of Victoria contracts Victoria Animal Control Services to enforce the City's Animal Control Bylaw.

Officers regularly patrol City parks to ensure dogs, and dog owners, are acting responsibly so all park users can enjoy Victoria parks. The penalty for not complying with the Animal Control Bylaw is a $50 fine. For more information, call (250) 414-0233.

Contact Us

If you have a question or comment about the Paws in Parks program, please contact us at:

City of Victoria Parks Division 250.361.0600 parks@victoria.ca

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