Dog parks in Calgary
Overview
Dog parks are one of the best ways to allow your dog some time to get out and enjoy themselves in Alberta. Whether you live in an apartment without a yard, your home doesn’t have a very large yard, or you just want your dog to get some socialization, dog parks are a great solution. The good news is that Calgary offers over 150 dog parks that you can visit — one of the largest numbers of off-leash parks in all of North America. Here are some Calgary dog parks that might fit your dog’s needs.
Connect with an online vet in CalgaryBowmont Park is one of the off-leash parks in Calgary, offering an exceptionally large off-leash path with a fence. It’s also right near the river, and there are easy ways to bring your dog down into the river if they’re interested in playing. Additionally, Bowmont Park is part of a pilot program to provide waste bags to dog owners bringing their animals to play, so cleaning up waste is easy.
2. River Park Off-Leash Dog Park
The designated off-leash area of River Park, the River Park Off-Leash Dog Park, is quite large, with plenty of space for dogs of all sizes to run around and play. Plus, locals regularly note the beautiful views of downtown and River Valley, as well as the ease of access to the river, which allows dogs to enjoy the water when it’s warm enough. You’ll also find a number of trees, bushes, and other foliage, so it’s definitely enjoyable for both humans and animals.
3. West Hillhurst Off Leash Area
This unique off-leash area offers a huge, wide open area where dogs can run and play, as well as a lovely panoramic view from the top of the hill, which means that it’s great for dogs and their owners alike. It’s important to recognize that the fences at the bottom are cable-only, so you should have good command over your dog before you bring them here. The houses that are not dog-friendly are fenced off, so you know where your dog can and can’t be.
4. Sue Higgins Dog Park
This park was established in 1994, with its creation largely pushed by a group of citizens opposed to the building of a golf course on the land. Over the years, it’s become a popular spot for dogs, dog owners, and anyone who wants a taste of nature. It is a fully fenced dog park, and the area is very large, with many different fenced-in areas that also provide river access and lots of paths for joggers and hikers.
5. Auburn Bay Off-Leash Park
This park is dedicated to Jim Davidson, FirstEnergy CEO, who helped fund this large off-leash dog park of 10 acres. With double-gated entry and exit gates to maintain better safety for dogs as well as training areas to train your dog, it’s clear that this park was developed to create a unique and exceptional dog-focused location. Plus, there are plenty of trash cans and lounging benches for humans.
Enjoy yourself at your local dog park
If you’re planning to visit a local dog park, the first action you should take is to make sure you have the right spot picked out. However, you also need to know if your dog can go to the dog park and enjoy themselves. This may mean managing health issues or handling sociability problems before you get to the park. If you have any concerns about this, consider booking an online virtual care appointment with Vetster to get answers to your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Not all of them. Many dog parks separate their park area into one space for small dogs, typically under 25 pounds, and another space for dogs of all sizes. If you have a small dog, especially one that’s very timid, you can let them play in the small dog area. However, you should always pay attention to your dog when they’re with other dogs, whether you have a large dog or a small dog.
- Many parks will have signage indicating whether or not the park allows dogs. However, if you aren’t sure or you want some extra insight into the on-leash and off-leash dog parks in Calgary, feel free to check out the Parks and Recreation section on the Calgary website where you can get in-depth information about the various parks in and around Calgary.
- Many dog parks will be thrilled to get your help in managing a local dog park, as they’re frequently run by volunteers who are always looking for more help. Contact the current management team to learn more about this process. Additionally, you can always do a little bit to help simply by cleaning up after yourself and picking up any trash you see.