(Portland, OR) –
Not all parks are for the dogs. But Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) has more than 30 designated dog off-leash areas across the city. Since 2013, PP&R Park Rangers have been authorized to issue citations for off-leash dogs outside of designated areas, but the policy required a warning first. This made it difficult to enforce. That old policy has changed, and now there are new protocols.
Dog off-leash issues are a top concern for many community members all across the city. These policy changes will help keep our parks safe and clean for all park visitors, and make sure they are welcoming for everyone.
Rangers have begun piloting the new policy at parks with significant dog off-leash issues. This is part of a robust notification and education effort by Portland Park Rangers before any citations are potentially issued as a first measure.
Portland Park Rangers will still have the option to issue warnings if it is the first time a dog-owner allows their dog off their leash outside of designated dog off-leash areas. Rangers can provide free leashes and park-branded poop bag holders to help the public comply with this policy and will continue efforts to promote the PP&R Leave No Trace Urban Park Principles.
Find a dog off-leash area near you! Visit portland.gov/parks/find-dog-off-leash-area
Dog off-leash areas in Portland’s park system
Portland Parks & Recreation has offered dog off-leash areas (DOLAs) since 1995. The goal of dog off-leash areas is to:
- Provide healthy, fun places for dogs to play.
- Promote compliance with leash laws by providing areas where dogs can roam without a leash.
- Encourage responsible use of parks and DOLAs with common-sense regulations.
- Balance park uses in parks with limited space.
Quick Summary - Things to Know Before You Go
- Off-leash dogs are only allowed in designated dog off-leash areas.
- By law, dogs must always be on a leash, and waste must always be picked up and disposed of. In some parks, dog off-leash areas are provided, allowing dogs to roam and play off-leash in a designated space.
- Animals must always be under their handler’s control.
- For health and safety reasons, please do not bring a dog “in heat” to a Portland park.
- For health and safety reasons, please do not bring a dog without a complete cycle of vaccinations to a Portland park.
- Service animals are always allowed.
Where are dogs allowed (aside from designated off-leash areas)?
Leashed dogs are allowed in nearly all of Portland’s parks and natural areas.
Where are dogs NOT allowed?
- 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 sports complex at Delta Park
- Any other area marked by the director of Portland Parks & Recreation as prohibited to dogs.
For more information about dogs in the Portland park system, visit portland.gov/parks/dogs
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