Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Proposed changes to leash-optional areas to Metro Vancouver’s busiest regional park are largely being put on hold after a vote from regional district directors on Wednesday.
Metro Vancouver staff had proposed a major reduction to trails where dogs could be off-leash at Pacific Spirit Regional Park, which draws four million annual visitors, a third of them bringing their dogs.
It came after multiple reports of conflicts between dog owners and park users who don’t have dogs — including runners and walkers — as well as environmental concerns like trail erosion due to off-leash dogs.
But regional district directors voted on Wednesday to receive a staff report for information and not proceed with its trail changes, and instead focus on enhanced signage and education along the existing trail network instead.
Rebecca Bligh, who is vice-chair of Metro Vancouver’s regional parks committee, said that directors had to strike the right balance when it came to regulating off-leash areas. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
“Over-regulation actually creates less compliance. So, if we don’t get this balance correct, it’s only going to cost us more,” said Vancouver Coun. Rebecca Bligh, vice-chair of Metro Vancouver’s regional parks committee.
“I’d like us to enforce the rules we already have, lean into signage and education, and really see if we can get a better balance,” she added.
A graphic from Metro Vancouver showing the current trail system in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Around two-thirds of the trails are leash-optional. (Metro Vancouver)
Currently, Pacific Spirit Park has 55 kilometres of trails spread across 8.6 square kilometres of land. Around two-thirds of the trail area are designated leash-optional.
Staff’s proposed changes would have reduced that leash-optional area to just over half — along with closing off the central portion of the park to dogs entirely, except for a small leash-required connecting trail.
The proposed changes would have closed off the central section of the park to dogs entirely, except a small connecting trail. (Metro Vancouver)
Park user and dog owner Candy Saga spoke to the committee, and said the proposed changes to the trails would have increased conflict in the proposed leash-required zones.
“We think that that you’re not asking the right question. Is it a trail designation problem or an enforcement problem? We would very much encourage you to focus on enforcement,” she said.
Year-long study
The changes would have gone into effect May 6, and came after a year-long review of the dog management plan at the park.
Metro Vancouver said it received nearly 6,000 responses to a voluntary online questionnaire, along with more than 700 emails and letters, as part of the review.
It said 94 per cent of survey respondents with dogs reported mostly positive experiences at the park, while less than a quarter of visitors without pets did not.
New signs will be placed in Pacific Spirit Regional Park to help visitors properly navigate where dogs are allowed and whether they need to be on a leash or not. (Metro Vancouver)
A technical review of the park found nearly 400 documented “dog-related safety incidents,” over the past five years, and visitor monitoring revealed around two-thirds of dogs were unleashed on leash-required trails.
“Our review also found documented impacts of dogs on park ecology, particularly of dogs off-leash,” said park planner Teresa Maddison at the committee meeting on Wednesday.
“Impacts include things like trail erosion, vegetation trampling, soil compaction, wildlife disturbance, dog waste impacts, and water quality degradation concerns.”
While many directors praised the staff proposals regarding off-leash trail reduction, they ultimately voted to further consult with park users and instead increase enforcement.
The increased education efforts will include pop-up information stations, updated signage and website information, a media campaign and increased monitoring of the trails.
“Metro Vancouver Regional Parks will expand existing enforcement patrol to ensure the ongoing success of the dog management program,” said the report.
The regional district says it will also install fencing to prevent dogs from going off the trails in certain ecologically sensitive areas.