City of Hamilton – Public Works

Leash Free Zones & Dog Parks

On June 11, 2003 City Council approved the Leash Free Parks Program Policy for the City of Hamilton.

The City recognizes 2 types of Leash Free Parks:

Dog Parks are fenced facilities where residents have the opportunity to exercise their dogs off-leash within a controlled environment without being in contravention of municipal by-laws.

Free Running Areas are those areas, which have been set aside for residents to exercise their dogs off leash without being in contravention of municipal by-laws. These areas include designated parkland and public open spaces under the jurisdiction of the City of Hamilton.

Current Dog Parks locations are as follows:

Hamilton SPCA	245 Dartnall Road
Hill Street Park	13 Hill Street.
Birch Avenue	Between Brant St. and Princess St. on West side, located behind the City of Hamilton's 330 Wentworth St. Operations Building. Time restrictions are Monday-Friday, 5pm to 11pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 6am to 11pm.

Current Free Running Areas are as follows:

Little John Park	110 Little John Road
Chegwin Park	27 Chegwin Street
Cinema Park	Located on Golf Links Road beside the Silvercity Theatres

Funding

The Leash Free Parks Program is funded through the sale of Dog Licenses. For every dog tag sold in the City of Hamilton, $1.00 is dedicated to the Leash Free Parks Program to help fund capital and operating costs.

There are no user fees for this program.

New Parks

Anyone wanting to establish a Free-Running Area or Dog Park in their neighbourhood or community is required to submit a completed application form to the Public Works Department, Environmental Services Division, Parks and Cemeteries Section.

Contact Information

If you have any questions concerning the Leash Free Parks Program, you are encouraged to call our office at 905-546-2424 ext. 2738 for more details.

To report by-law infractions at the Leash Free Areas, please call 905-546-CITY (2489).

Rules and Regulations

One of the first ways to promote safety within Leash Free Parks is to establish rules. If the rules are followed and enforced, many problems can be avoided. Dog owners must take the initiative to be a responsible and conscientious group ensuring that their actions support the privilege of sharing parkland and open spaces with the community.

Rules and regulations for the Leash Free Park Program are specific to each park type.

Dog Parks		Free Running Areas
Dogs must be kept leashed until the off-leash area has been entered.		Dogs must be kept leashed until the off-leash area has been entered.
Dogs must be under voice control and are not allowed to disturb or chase people, or to destroy, dig up, or disturb flower beds, lawns, bushes or trees.		Dogs must be under voice control and are not allowed to disturb or chase people, or to destroy, dig up, or disturb flower beds, lawns, bushes or trees.
Poop n' scoop is mandatory. All individuals must clean up after their dogs.		Poop n' scoop is mandatory, and all individuals must clean up after their dogs.
Dogs must be wearing up to date rabies and dog license tags.		Dogs must be wearing up to date rabies and dog license tags.
Female dogs in heat, and sick dogs are to be kept out of this area.		Female dogs in heat, and sick dogs are to be kept out of this area.
Aggressive dogs are to be kept out of this area. If a dog starts acting aggressively towards others (people and dogs respectively) it must immediately be leashed and removed from the site.		Aggressive dogs are to be kept out of this area. If a dog starts acting aggressively towards others (people and dogs respectively) it must immediately be leashed and removed from the site.
No dog can be in the park without an adult human attending to it at all times.		No dog can be in the park without an adult human attending to it at all times.
No more than two dogs may be brought into the park by an individual at the same time.		No more than two dogs may be brought into the park by an individual at the same time.
Glass containers, rawhide chews, dog toys and food (animal or human) are not permitted within the park.		Professional dog trainers must not use this facility for the conduct of their business.
Pinch (prong) and spike collars are not allowed in the Dog Park.		Dog owners are subject to Ontario's Dog Owner's Liability Act.
All children must be supervised by an adult attendant while in the park.		Use the free running areas at your own risk.
Professional dog trainers must not use this facility for the conduct of their business.
Dog owners are subject to Ontario's Dog Owner's Liability Act.
Use the dog parks at your own risk

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Leash Free Zones & Dog Parks

Rules and Regulations