Off leash dogs at Reservoir Park

Share Off leash dogs at Reservoir Park on Facebook Share Off leash dogs at Reservoir Park on Twitter Share Off leash dogs at Reservoir Park on Linkedin Email Off leash dogs at Reservoir Park link

Over the past number of years, the Town has been made aware of negative interactions between off leash dogs and other Park users. Over the 2024/2025, the number of complaints has increased and we can all agree that safety is the first priority in a public park.

Staff were asked to study this concern and one round of engagement was followed by recommendations and a summer-long pilot program to test out time of day off-leash restrictions.

At the June 17 Council meeting, the following motion was passed:

THAT COUNCIL SUPPORT A TIME OF USE RESTRICTION AS A PILOT PROJECT, AS PERMITTED BY THE DOG CONTROL BYLAW, THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL DOGS IN RESERVOIR PARK TO REMAIN ON LEASH BETWEEN 10AM AND 7PM DAILY, WHERE WE WILL RE-EVALUATE BY JANUARY 2026, WHERE THAT PERIOD WOULD BE USED TO GAIN FEEDBACK ON SEASONAL APPROACH OR ANY OTHER TOPICS THAT MAY ARISE.

You can read the full report, by clicking here.

On November 4, early recommendations came back to Committee of the Whole. You can read the report by clicking here.

At Council on November 18, Council passed the following motions:

i. THAT COUNCIL APPROVE A TIME OF USE RESTRICTION, AS PERMITTED BY THE DOG CONTROL BYLAW, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE ALL DOGS IN RESERVOIR PARK TO REMAIN ON LEASH BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10AM AND 4PM FROM OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 31.

AND

ii. THAT COUNCIL APPROVE A TIME OF USE RESTRICTION, AS PERMITTED BY THE DOG CONTROL BYLAW, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE ALL DOGS IN RESERVOIR PARK TO REMAIN ON LEASH BETWEEN 10AM AND 7PM FROM JUNE 1 – SEPTEMBER 30.

Signs outlining the new rules will be posted in Reservoir Park in the days ahead.

Staff wish to thank all those who shared stories, ideas and insights. Staff also wish to thank community members who participated in the pilot through the summer months.


Background:

Wolfville has a dog control bylaw. This bylaw permits dogs to be off leash in Reservoir Park, but only if the dog is under voice control of their human. If they are not under voice control, they can be considered to be running at large and their human can face a fine between $100 and $1,000.

Under voice control means the dog's human has complete control of the dog's behaviour.

An off leash dog would not be under voice control if they are chasing people or bicycles, jumping on people, knocking over children, biting people or other dogs.

An off leash dog would be under voice control if it comes immediately when called, regardless of distractions, if the dog stays within hearing range, not wandering off, and if the dog responds to basic commands (no, wait, down, etc.).


Over the past number of years, the Town has been made aware of negative interactions between off leash dogs and other Park users. Over the 2024/2025, the number of complaints has increased and we can all agree that safety is the first priority in a public park.

Staff were asked to study this concern and one round of engagement was followed by recommendations and a summer-long pilot program to test out time of day off-leash restrictions.

At the June 17 Council meeting, the following motion was passed:

THAT COUNCIL SUPPORT A TIME OF USE RESTRICTION AS A PILOT PROJECT, AS PERMITTED BY THE DOG CONTROL BYLAW, THAT WOULD REQUIRE ALL DOGS IN RESERVOIR PARK TO REMAIN ON LEASH BETWEEN 10AM AND 7PM DAILY, WHERE WE WILL RE-EVALUATE BY JANUARY 2026, WHERE THAT PERIOD WOULD BE USED TO GAIN FEEDBACK ON SEASONAL APPROACH OR ANY OTHER TOPICS THAT MAY ARISE.

You can read the full report, by clicking here.

On November 4, early recommendations came back to Committee of the Whole. You can read the report by clicking here.

At Council on November 18, Council passed the following motions:

i. THAT COUNCIL APPROVE A TIME OF USE RESTRICTION, AS PERMITTED BY THE DOG CONTROL BYLAW, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE ALL DOGS IN RESERVOIR PARK TO REMAIN ON LEASH BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10AM AND 4PM FROM OCTOBER 1 TO MAY 31.

AND

ii. THAT COUNCIL APPROVE A TIME OF USE RESTRICTION, AS PERMITTED BY THE DOG CONTROL BYLAW, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE ALL DOGS IN RESERVOIR PARK TO REMAIN ON LEASH BETWEEN 10AM AND 7PM FROM JUNE 1 – SEPTEMBER 30.

Signs outlining the new rules will be posted in Reservoir Park in the days ahead.

Staff wish to thank all those who shared stories, ideas and insights. Staff also wish to thank community members who participated in the pilot through the summer months.


Background:

Wolfville has a dog control bylaw. This bylaw permits dogs to be off leash in Reservoir Park, but only if the dog is under voice control of their human. If they are not under voice control, they can be considered to be running at large and their human can face a fine between $100 and $1,000.

Under voice control means the dog's human has complete control of the dog's behaviour.

An off leash dog would not be under voice control if they are chasing people or bicycles, jumping on people, knocking over children, biting people or other dogs.

An off leash dog would be under voice control if it comes immediately when called, regardless of distractions, if the dog stays within hearing range, not wandering off, and if the dog responds to basic commands (no, wait, down, etc.).


Page last updated: 21 Nov 2025, 09:02 AM