With the weather warming up, watch for upgrades coming to an off-leash dog park near you.
The City’s Parks crews will be making enhancements across the six existing off-leash dog parks this year, which will vary by park, including additions to improve accessibility and surfacing, add shade with structures and trees, and install safety features such as self-closing gates, among other improvements.
Note that Ellis Creek Off-Leash Park, at 100 Industrial Place, will be closed this Thursday, Feb. 1, and Friday, Feb. 2, to begin prep work of the ground. In the coming months, this park will see new engineered wood fiber surfacing, and the addition of an accessible pathway, shade structure, new trees and a dog activity area.
“We’re excited to dig in to these projects and to create more inviting and enriching play spaces for your dogs. In the meantime, since we’ll be operating heavy machinery, we may need to close the parks temporarily for days here and there to safely conduct the work,” says Tory Young, Parks Technician. “We will post signs on-site and encourage you to follow the City’s news announcements and social media posts for the latest updates and progress reports.”
Work also began earlier this year at the Lakeside Road beach off-leash area (4851 Lakeside Road) to remove vegetation and clear out debris to improve sightlines.
Other work is planned for Dartmouth Off-Leash Park (2088 Dartmouth Road) to upgrade the ground surface, add potable water and a shade structure. At the Water Treatment Plant Off-Leash Area (1900 Penticton Avenue), a potable water fountain and overhead lighting is planned, and at Okanagan Lake Beach Off-Leash Area (45 Lakeshore Drive East), an accessible walkway will be added. In addition, a ramp or stairs will be added at 3 Mile Beach Off-Leash Area (802 Three Mile Road).
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 a pilot project creating leash-optional spaces. The pilot project will run from March 1 to Aug. 31, with more details to be announced soon.
The City would also like to thank the People for Penticton Pets (PPP) for their recommendations and consultations to help make our dog parks better for everyone.
For more information about the City’s dog parks, visit penticton.ca/dog-parks.