People, Parks and Pups: A strategy for sharing parks and open space in New Westminster

Project Update - February 2022:

City Council adopted the People, Parks and Pups Strategy on February 14, 2022. Click here to access the approved strategy, and here for the report to Council.

Introduction

Conversations with the community are underway to better plan and design parks and open spaces that meet the needs of all residents - including seniors, adults, children and dogs! With population growth and people living in smaller spaces, it’s important that we hear all perspectives (dog and non-dog owners) on how best to foster the health and wellbeing of all park users and promote responsible dog ownership.

The Parks & Recreation Department is seeking input from all residents to help develop a long-term strategy called People, Parks and Pups: A strategy for sharing parks and open space in New Westminster. The strategy will consider all points of view in planning, designing and maintaining space for dogs that respects a diversity of park uses.

Why do we need a Strategy?

The People, Parks and Pups Strategy is an opportunity for the Parks & Recreation Department to hear from the community on how to successfully include more space for dogs into the existing parks and open space system in New Westminster. The goal of this project is to be proactive in planning and providing space for dogs, while balancing the many other (and often competing) recreational needs within our parks and open spaces. Meeting the growing demand for dog off-leash areas in New Westminster requires conversations with a diverse community of park users to develop creative solutions.

Where are New Westminster's dog off-leash areas?

Off-leash dog areas provide safe and secure spaces where dog owners can legally run their dog off-leash and are a valued service in urban settings. The City of New Westminster currently operates eight Dog Off-Leash Areas:

You can view a map of the dog off-leash areas here.