Well-behaved Penticton pups will soon have five new spaces to play outdoors as part of a six-month “leash-optional” pilot project.
During the trial, which will run from March 1 until Aug. 31, 2024, dogs within the designated zones will be allowed off-leash, with owner supervision. The City will monitor each location and seek community feedback throughout the trial period, with more details to be released soon.
“Look for the designated zones, which will be well-marked with signage and delineators, and please be mindful that these are shared spaces within a public park or greenspace,” says Ysabel Contreras, Parks Planning and Capital Project Coordinator. “We ask that only well-behaved dogs visit these leash-optional areas and it’s important to note that they are not fenced in, so your dog must be trained to come when called.”
Look for the designated leash-optional areas at Riverside Park, Okanagan Lake Park, two locations at Skaha Park, and at 1900 Penticton Ave – the entrance of the Water Treatment Plant. Maps and further details about each of these locations will be posted on March 1 at penticton.ca/dog-parks.
As per the City Bylaw regulations:
City staff will be monitoring feedback throughout the pilot project and may make adjustments to the availability of the off-leash areas at any time. Also, the zones may be closed at any time due to special events.
City Council gave the green light in October 2023 to invest $200,000 in capital improvements to the City’s six existing off-leash dog parks and approved this pilot project creating leash-optional spaces. More details about the City’s engagement process on this matter will be issued in the coming weeks.