Overview
Metro Vancouver is reviewing dog management at Pacific Spirit Regional Park to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors while protecting the park’s natural resources.
As Metro Vancouver’s busiest regional park, Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a popular destination for walkers, runners, cyclists, equestrians, and dog walkers of all ages. Strategic plans and guiding documents inform the management of Pacific Spirit Regional Park. These include the:
Pacific Spirit Regional Park has changed over time. For example, the park now attracts over 4 million annual visitors. The increasing volume of visitors — many with dogs — means more pressure on trails and sensitive habitats. Changes to the dog management program that are under consideration include signage, trail designations, public education, and bylaw enforcement.
Why this review is happening
Many dog owners value the park as a space for responsible off-leash recreation, and most park visitors enjoy the park without any issues. However, there is evidence of challenges related to off-leash dogs and their impacts on public safety, visitor experience, and the environment. Metro Vancouver is committed to addressing these concerns to ensure safe and equitable access for all park visitors and to preserve the park’s natural environment.
How we are conducting the review
The dog management program update is evidence-driven, considering both data and public input.
Findings will inform changes to the dog management program.
Changes under consideration
The changes to the dog management program that are under consideration include signage, trail designations, public education, and bylaw enforcement.
- Updating signage to improve visibility and clarify messaging
- Changes to how trails are designated for different uses (leash-required, leash-optional, and no dog)
- Public education campaigns to increase etiquette for all visitors
- Focusing enforcement presence in problem areas to address non-compliance of park by-laws and educating park visitors
Metro Vancouver’s current intention is to maintain a mixture of on-leash and off-leash trails on both the north and south sides of the park, supporting a balance of uses while protecting sensitive areas and improving visitor experiences. Many residents are aware that a proposal from an independent park user was presented at Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks Committee meeting on February 5, 2025; that proposal was not developed by Metro Vancouver, is not being considered.
Engagement
Metro Vancouver is listening to park visitors to ensure that the dog management program at Pacific Spirit Regional Park reflects a range of community needs and values. We have been listening to parks visitors on these issues for many years and will continue to do so in the future.
Metro Vancouver invited visitors to share their experiences with dogs in the park. They survey was open from May 14 to June 4, 2025.
Your thoughts on dog management in Pacific Spirit Regional Park are always welcome. Email the team at
icentre@metrovancouver.org to share a comment.
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks is engaging with representatives from xʷməθkʷəýəm (Musqueam Indian Band), Electoral Area A (University Endowment Lands) staff, Pacific Spirit Park Society, CTS Youth Society, BC Mobility Opportunities Society, and those who hold a Commercial Dog Walking permit for Pacific Spirit Regional Park.