Dog park Information in Durham Region

Durham Region - A current trend in local communities in past years have been to create dog-friendly (and people-friendly), off-leash parks.  

Durham Region has no fewer than four such parks, with plans for more in the planning stages.

Pickering has a location south and west of Valley Farm Rd and 3rd Concession.  The park, which opened on June 15, 2010, is known as Grand Valley Park.

Ajax currently has two off-leash dog parks.  The first is at Greenwood Conservation Area at Westney and Taunton Rd, and the second is the Westney Off Leash, at Westney and Clements.

Perhaps the most popular of Durham's dog parks is Oshawa's Harmony Valley Dog Park, located at the south end of Harmony Creek Park on Rathburn St., off Grandview St. N. The park is over 75 acres, with 25 acres dedicated solely to dogs and their beloved owners.

You might be asking: Where is Whitby, Uxbridge, and Bowmanville in all this dog park mania?

Whitby-  In November 2011, the Town of Whitby hosted a public workshop with the purpose of gathering information for potential location(s), design ideas, and whether there was a demand for volunteer groups or committees to maintain the canine-friendly environment.

Staff will report to Committee and Council in early this year on the input received at this public workshop with recommendations related to the idea, including financial options to fund the potential project(s).

Uxbridge- Proposals have been introduced to Town Council to form an off-leash dog park in Elgin Park just east of Water St.  A decision should be made shortly on the residents' proposal.

Clarington- Local citizens petitioned last April with over 2000 names, for a dedicated dog park near the boat-launch of Bowmanville.  Council approved a budget of $120,000 to fence and seed the location and West Side Creek Dog Park will be opened on May 4, 2012.

Here are some tips for dog owners using the parks:

• Respect the rights of all park users; both people and dogs
• Dogs should be leashed when entering or leaving the leash-free area
• Dogs should be in view of their owners at all times and under voice control
• Dogs should be licensed and fully vaccinated
• Keep a watchful eye on your children
• Always respect wildlife and vegetation
• Remove pronged collars in the leash free areas
• Dogs in heat/sick dogs/aggressive dogs should NOT use the park
• Do not litter