Metro Vancouver is currently reviewing its dog management policies in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
The park is a popular destination for campus residents looking to connect with nature or go for a hike close to home. In 2024, four million people visited the park, and it is the busiest park in the Metro Vancouver regional system. “There are 55 kilometres of trails that are used by joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, and equestrians, and we want it to be welcoming to all visitors,” said Richard Wallis, the park operations supervisor with Metro Vancouver.
Just under two thirds of the park’s trail system is designated as leash optional. This means that dogs can be off-leash, but should be kept under control at all times and kept out of wildlife habitats. The remaining 35 per cent of Pacific Spirit trails require dogs be on leash. Some trails have a mix of designations, which can be confusing for park-goers.
Metro Vancouver is currently reviewing the program at Pacific Spirit due to worries around safety, complaints from the public, and ecological damage.
This review of Pacific Spirit has been in the works for several months, and is still in the information gathering stage. As of right now, there is no set proposal or plan for changes to dog-leash requirements in the park.
Potential changes could range from signage and education, enforcement, and even to trail designation updates. Changes to leash requirements could be made for specific days of the week, or times of the day, for example. “Any changes will be implemented as a pilot project, and will be monitored and evaluated throughout the rest of the year,” said Wallis.
Nothing is set in stone yet, though.
Any changes will be informed by feedback Metro Vancouver has received from users of the park. Some of the reported incidents have concerned off-leash dogs injuring, chasing, and being aggressive to park visitors. There have also been altercations between park users, fighting between dogs, and dogs being injured by other dogs.
Dog owners can take steps to keep everyone safe while visiting Pacific Spirit by carrying a leash, picking up after their dogs, and making sure they have control and recall with their off-leash dog in appropriate areas. “I have heard an increased number of concerns over the past 1-2 years,” said Jen McCutcheon, the elected director of Metro Vancouver’s Electoral Area A— which includes UBC’s Point Grey campus.
“When residents have brought issues to my attention, most have not known where to send a formal complaint to, and therefore have not.” The park is managed by Metro Vancouver Regional District, not the City of Vancouver, the UNA, or UBC.
To report non-emergency concerns, contact the Metro Vancouver Parks West office at 604-224-5739. If you would like to provide your feedback to Metro Vancouver Regional District about changes to dog leash requirements in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, reach out to icentre@metrovancouver.org.
AMIE BERNAERDT IS A THIRD YEAR STUDENT AT UBC, MAJORING IN CREATIVE WRITING AND ANTHROPOLOGY. SHE LIVES IN WESBROOK PLACE.
CORRECTION (March 7, 2025): This article, which also appeared in the March print edition of The Campus Resident, has been edited to include the correct contact information to report non-emergency concerns and feedback about changes to dog leash requirements in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.