Leash-Free Parks

• Requests will be received through a new Leash-Free Area application process that will streamline requests that meet the criteria and have documented community support
• Leash-Free areas may also be considered as part of a park renewal project
• Staff will review each application in relation to the Council approved Leash-Free Area Criteria and documented community support, applications may be submitted at any time
• Applications that do not meet the criteria and/or do not have community support, will be communicated back to the applicant and ward councillor
• Applications that meet the criteria, have community support and are received by March 31 will be included in an annual staff report to Council in Q2 each year
• Upon council approval of the recommended Leash-Free areas, staff will conduct site specific community engagement
• If the site-specific engagement does not support the request, staff will inform the applicant and the ward councillor of the rationale for not moving forward
• If the site-specific engagement supports the request, the Leash-Free area(s) will be considered as part of the budget process
• Staff will design and manage construction of the Leash-Free area following capital budget approval

Leash-Free areas must be on City of Burlington property or land leased by the City of Burlington.

There are two size options to accommodate a variety of needs:

• Destination Leash-Free Area – minimum 3,300m2

• Neighbourhood Leash-Free Area – minimum 500m2 (approximately half the size of Civic Square in downtown Burlington)

All Leash-Free areas must be enclosed with permanent fencing

Parking will be determined based on:

• Overall park usage 

• Size of Leash-Free area

• Walkability considerations 

Leash-Free Areas will be setback a minimum of 15 metres from:

• Children's playgrounds

• Splash pads

• Sports fields

• Waterfront

• Cemeteries 

• Residential housing

Where possible, a buffer of trees, hedges, or landforms is preferable in addition to the minimum setback.

Leash-Free areas will have a minimum setback of 15 metres from:

• School property line

• Daycare property line

Leash-Free Areas cannot be located at waterfront parks.

Area must be accessible to the public for year-round use.

Dogs must be leashed in the following areas:

• Playgrounds, splash pads and wading pools
• On school grounds
• Horticultural display areas, community gardens
• Skateboard bowls, tennis courts and other sport pads
• Sport fields and stadiums
• Artificial or natural ice rinks, toboggan hills
• Designated memorial, heritage, commemorative and ceremonial areas
• Swimming beaches
• Municipal golf course
• Natural Environmental Areas
• ESAs, ravines and natural features protected by provincial regional regulations
• Natural shorelines with native vegetation
• Areas containing species of concern, locally or regionally rare, threatened, or endangered
• Fragmentation of natural areas

In addition to knowing when and where dogs are allowed off leash, there are some simple guidelines for dog owners to follow while at a leash-free area:

• You are responsible for the actions of your dog.
• Ensure you have control of your dog at all times, whether on or off the leash.
• Stay with your dog at all times.
• Your dog should remain leashed until safely in the park; remove your dog’s leash when you enter the leash-free area. Mixing on-leash and off-leash dogs can cause stress in the leashed dogs which may lead to aggression. Owners should carry a leash at all times.
• You may have a maximum of two dogs off the leash at one time.
• No aggressive dogs are allowed.  If your dog is bullying, please leave the park.
• Leave your toys at home. Regardless of your dog’s reaction to toys, other dogs may have issues with guarding behavior. 
• Pick up and dispose of your dog's waste.
• Make sure your dog is wearing a current license tag on its collar and has current vaccinations.
• Do not bring a female dog in heat to the park; her presence can create fights and aggression for the other dogs.
• Pit bulls must be muzzled and leashed at all times (Dog Owners Liability Act R.S.O 1990 C.D.16 Ontario Regulation 157/05)
• If you bring children with you, you must supervise them at all times and do not allow them to approach dogs that they do not know. It is not recommended to bring infants and toddlers.

With the exception of designated leash-free parks and private property, all dogs must be on a leash and controlled by a competent person in the City of Burlington. When visiting leash-free parks, be aware there are unleashed dogs at play. You are entering the park at your own risk.