On-leash dogs welcome
Dogs are welcome in nearly all of Portland's parks and must be on leash unless they are in a designated dog off-leash area.
Dog off-leash areas
Fenced and unfenced off-leash areas are also provided throughout the city.
Areas where pets are prohibited
Pets are not allowed in the following parks or park amenities:
- Tanner Springs Park
- Whitaker Ponds Nature Park
- Foster Floodplain Natural Area
- Mt. Tabor Park amphitheater
- Sports courts, running tracks, or sports fields (artificial and manicured turf)
- Fountains, lakes, ponds, or streams
- Fenced sports facilities, including the Williams V. Owens complex at Delta Park
- Any other area marked by the Director as prohibited to dogs.
Conduct in the off-leash area
- Display tags showing proof of current license and rabies vaccination.
- Leash dogs when entering or leaving the dog off-leash area.
- Don't chase wildlife, like squirrels, ducks, rabbits, birds, and other animals.
- Leash and immediately remove your dog if it's displaying aggressive behavior.
- Keep your pet within your sight.
- Always scoop your dog’s poop!
Courtesy in the off-leash area
- Demonstrate appropriate social interaction between nature, people, and other dogs.
- Make sure your dog is well-behaved and doesn't jump on others.
- Remove pinch or choke collars when playing off-leash for your dog’s safety.
- Don’t bring food inside the off-leash area.
- Save small dog areas for small dogs.
- Be considerate of park neighbors by playing quietly with dogs in the early morning and evening hours.
- Don’t allow your dog to dig. Digging damages the park and creates a tripping hazard for others.
Leash and Scoop Laws
It might not seem like a big deal, but dog poop and dogs off-leash are some of the most common complaints from visitors. Leash laws ensure people, nature, wildlife, and other dogs are safe. Scoop laws, in addition to keeping public spaces free of unpleasant surprises, prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria and parasites found in dog waste. Violation of either may result in an exclusion or a fine of up to $150.
“But my dog is perfect!”
Your dog may be perfect, but parks are public spaces, and some visitors have a fear of dogs. And, even if your dog is being friendly, other dogs may not see it that way. Approaching reactive or aggressive dogs without restraint can ruin their socialization training.
Finally, dogs are unpredictable. Anything could happen in a park; they might be startled by a loud noise or excited by nearby wildlife and take off, regardless of how well-trained they are.
Remember, you are liable for damage or injury inflicted by your dog!
"It’s only poop, does it really matter?"
Leaving dog poop in parks is a big, stinky problem. Aside from being an unsightly stepping hazard, dog poop can be a vector for dozens of diseases and parasites that pose serious health risks to wildlife and people alike, including:
- Campylobacter
- Salmonella
- E. Coli
- Canine parvovirus
- Giardia
- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
The poop itself is also high in nitrogen and phosphorus. When nitrogen and phosphorus run off with stormwater, they can pollute the river and contribute to harmful algal blooms that can cause fish die-offs. Scoop your dog’s poop!
Service Animals in Parks
Service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability are welcome in parks and community centers. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered. If these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability prevents use of these devices, the person must use voice, signal, or other effective means to maintain control of the animal.
Staff may ask questions related to a service animal, as allowed by law.
Compliance
Portland Parks & Recreation encourages compliance with leash and scoop laws through education, enforcement, and by providing dog off-leash areas (DOLAs) for legal dog-owner recreation. Our efforts include:
- Developing park signs, presentations, and flyers to increase awareness and understanding of leash/scoop laws
- Park Ranger patrols, which use park warnings, exclusions, and citations to increase leash/scoop law compliance
- In-park outreach visits
- Intensive outreach and enforcement efforts at parks where low compliance impacts park health, safety, or enjoyment
- Education campaigns, such as Pet Health for Parks, Dogs for the Environment, and Pettiquette for Parks