Pets are welcome at most regional parks and regional trails.

Dogs

traildogDownload the PAWS in Parks pamphlet to learn why canine courtesy matters.

Pause to consider these simple canine courtesies:

  • Protect nature by keeping your dog away from wildlife and sensitive areas.
  • Always respect others who might not welcome your dog’s attention.
  • Watch that your dog is under control, in sight, and on a leash where required.
  • Scoop your dog’s poop and take it to the trash.

Dogs-On-Leash Areas

Dogs are required to be on a leash at:

Seasonal Prohibition Zones

Dogs are not allowed to be on a designated beach or picnic area between June 1 and September 15, except to pass through on a leash, without stopping. These are the dog restriction zones:

Protect Your Pets from Natural Hazards

Parks are natural areas that may present hazards to park visitors and their pets. It is difficult to anticipate when or where potential natural hazards may occur in regional parks. To protect your pets and the natural environment, dogs need to be under control and within your line of sight at all times in regional parks, and on leash where required.

Examples of common hazards to pets include:

  • poisonous mushrooms
  • moulds growing on decomposing matter, such as feces, grains, and nuts (mycotoxins)
  • unstable or slippery terrain
  • high and fast-moving water in streams and ditches
  • encounters with wildlife
  • blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)

To learn more about blue-green algae visit these sites:

Dog Management Policy

Visitation to our regional parks and trails increases each year and many people bring dogs with them. This is an enjoyable activity for many visitors, but growing visitation can also lead to potential increased conflicts between people with and without dogs, between individual dogs, and between dogs and wildlife. It can result in unsustainable impacts to sensitive natural and cultural values within the regional park system.

The CRD acknowledges that opportunities for recreating with dogs will be provided within the regional park system. These opportunities will be balanced against the need to protect and conserve important environmental values and to provide enjoyable and safe outdoor experiences for all visitors. In response, Regional Parks has created a dog management policy that was approved by the Board on December 11, 2019.

Horses

horse-traildogThere are a number of designated horse riding trails for equestrians. Horse riders are allowed on rural sections of CRD regional trails:

Bridle and Multi-use Trails

Horse are allowed on designated bridle or multi-use trails in these regional parks:

Trail Habits for Equestrians

Follow these simple habits on the trails:

  • Keep manure to trail edge.
  • Be alert and visible-wear reflective gear.
  • Use caution at road crossings.

To learn about general trail etiquette for regional parks and trails, click here.

Sharing the Trail with Horses

  • Hikers and cyclists must yield to horses.
  • Leash dogs immediately when approaching horses, for the safety of the horse and horse rider, and dog and dog owner.

To learn more about general trail etiquette for regional parks and trails, click here.

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