Reid Park - Fenced Off-Leash Dog Facility Proposed Modifications

Update: 24 July 2026

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the Reid Park Dog Park public consultation and share your feedback.

We were pleased to receive more than 450 responses, demonstrating the community's strong interest in this project.

The feedback from the community included strong support for separation between the dog park and the rest of the park. Some community members showed concern regarding the removal of green space. Some also expressed disappointment in the chain link fence that was proposed, stating that it would detract from the natural character of the park.

Overall, respondents expressed a preference for having some or all of the dog park enclosed with fencing. As shown below, the results were relatively close across the three options, with Option A receiving the highest level of support at 36.6%. Options B and C also received substantial support, at 32.9% and 30.5% respectively, indicating a range of views within the community.

Option	Responses	Percent
Option A: Fence existing area + crushed granite	169	36.6%
Option B: Fence approx. half + crushed granite	152	32.9%
Option C: No change	141	30.5%

Summary of comments, concerns, suggestions and response

Topic	# of Mentions	Response
Safety/Separation Creates a barrier between the playground and the dog park to reduce uncontrolled interactions	91	Concern/comment The preference for a fenced-in area is strongly favoured by respondents Some park users stated, however, that the current configuration didn’t cause any issues Response Staff support creating physical separation between the playground and dog park to reduce conflicts
Green Space and Trees Grass, tree planting	59	Concern/comment Many people showed concern with losing green space and not enough trees in the design Response Tree roots can be damaged from compaction of frequent passage. Different configurations will be explored to increase the number of trees in the design
Granite Surface	49	Concern/comment Many respondents were concerned with the proposed surface of crushed granite, stating that it removes greenspace, could be uncomfortable for dogs and would increase heat absorption Response Decomposed crushed granite is used at many City dog park facilities, and is the recommended surface for parks smaller than 1 hectare, due to its drainage capability
Fence Fenced-in area, fence type	112	Concern/comment Many people supported having the park fenced-in to separate the uses Some respondents were not in favour of the aesthetic quality of a chain link fence, especially in the context of replacing the existing wood post fence Response Staff will explore options to retain and re-use the existing post and rail fence, and consider the addition of page-wire to balance safety and aesthetic quality

We appreciate all of your feedback. Your comments and ideas will help shape the final decisions on the next steps for the off-leash area of the park. Next steps for the project will be posted to Engage Ottawa as they become available. Thanks again to all those who provided their feedback on this project.

The City is looking for your feedback on a proposal to modify the off-leash dog facility in Reid Park based on community concerns, comments and feedback with the current set-up.

Three options are presented below for the community's review and comment. Preliminary sketches are available in the Document Library on this page and will be updated as further direction is received:

Option A would remove the post and rail fencing around the current area, add 1.5m high chain link fencing, a proper leashing area, and replace the grass surface with crushed granite surfacing and drainage. Also adding an in-ground waste receptacle.
Option B would split the area in half, remove the post and rail fencing and add 1.5m high chain link fencing and a proper leashing area, replace the grass surface with crushed granite surfacing with drainage, leaving the remaining, existing area as a grassed surface. Also adding an in-ground waste receptacle.
Option C would keep the off-leash dog area as is.

Please complete the survey below to share your opinion with the City. The survey will be open until Friday, April 17, 2026.

Image of current Reid Park off-leash dog amenity

Update: 24 July 2026

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the Reid Park Dog Park public consultation and share your feedback.

We were pleased to receive more than 450 responses, demonstrating the community's strong interest in this project.

Option	Responses	Percent
Option A: Fence existing area + crushed granite	169	36.6%
Option B: Fence approx. half + crushed granite	152	32.9%
Option C: No change	141	30.5%

Summary of comments, concerns, suggestions and response

Topic	# of Mentions	Response
Safety/Separation Creates a barrier between the playground and the dog park to reduce uncontrolled interactions	91	Concern/comment The preference for a fenced-in area is strongly favoured by respondents Some park users stated, however, that the current configuration didn’t cause any issues Response Staff support creating physical separation between the playground and dog park to reduce conflicts
Green Space and Trees Grass, tree planting	59	Concern/comment Many people showed concern with losing green space and not enough trees in the design Response Tree roots can be damaged from compaction of frequent passage. Different configurations will be explored to increase the number of trees in the design
Granite Surface	49	Concern/comment Many respondents were concerned with the proposed surface of crushed granite, stating that it removes greenspace, could be uncomfortable for dogs and would increase heat absorption Response Decomposed crushed granite is used at many City dog park facilities, and is the recommended surface for parks smaller than 1 hectare, due to its drainage capability
Fence Fenced-in area, fence type	112	Concern/comment Many people supported having the park fenced-in to separate the uses Some respondents were not in favour of the aesthetic quality of a chain link fence, especially in the context of replacing the existing wood post fence Response Staff will explore options to retain and re-use the existing post and rail fence, and consider the addition of page-wire to balance safety and aesthetic quality

The City is looking for your feedback on a proposal to modify the off-leash dog facility in Reid Park based on community concerns, comments and feedback with the current set-up.

Three options are presented below for the community's review and comment. Preliminary sketches are available in the Document Library on this page and will be updated as further direction is received:

Option A would remove the post and rail fencing around the current area, add 1.5m high chain link fencing, a proper leashing area, and replace the grass surface with crushed granite surfacing and drainage. Also adding an in-ground waste receptacle.
Option B would split the area in half, remove the post and rail fencing and add 1.5m high chain link fencing and a proper leashing area, replace the grass surface with crushed granite surfacing with drainage, leaving the remaining, existing area as a grassed surface. Also adding an in-ground waste receptacle.
Option C would keep the off-leash dog area as is.

Please complete the survey below to share your opinion with the City. The survey will be open until Friday, April 17, 2026.

Image of current Reid Park off-leash dog amenity

Survey

CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

Reid Park - Fenced Off-Leash Dog Facility Options
Please select your preference of the three options presented and add your comments.
- Option A - Properly fence existing area and replace surface with crushed granite.
- Option B - Properly fence approximately half of existing area and replace surface with crushed granite.
- Option C - No change - Keep off-leash dog area as currently constructed.
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Page last updated: 24 Jul 2026, 03:20 PM

Reid Park - Fenced Off-Leash Dog Facility Proposed Modifications

Reid Park - Fenced Off-Leash Dog Facility Options

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