With the weather finally turning toward spring and most of the leftover muddy conditions drying up, you and your furry best friend are probably itching to spend more time outdoors. Within the downtown Vancouver area, there are several great locations to take your pooch and let him or her run off-leash. These dog parks are located within larger parks.
Photo by iStock
Be sure to follow proper dog park etiquette during your visit, including not bringing toys from home and always picking up after Fido.
Andy Livingstone Park
Location: 89 Expo Blvd.
Size: 1,125 square metres
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Features: This dog park is fenced, and it’s located within a larger park system that includes recreation fields and a water feature.
Cooper’s Park
Location: 1020 Marinaside Cr., the grass field east of the bridge
Size: 4,344 square metres
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Features: Cooper’s Park runs along False Creek and offers beautiful views, winding paths, the dog park, a skatepark and playground.
Crab Park At Portside
Location: 101 East Waterfront Rd.
Size: 5,056 square metres
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and then 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Features: Dogs are not allowed within 15 metres of the playground. The park features several beautiful monuments, as well as views of the port.
Devonian Harbour Park
Location: 1929 West Georgia St.
Size: 3,760 square metres
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Features: This dog park is fenced and the park as a whole serves as a gateway between Stanley Park and Coal Harbour.
Photo by iStock
Emery Barnes Park
Location: Davie and Richards St.
Size: 856 square metres
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Features: This small park is great for a few laps with your doggie’s buddies. Emery Barnes Park features a water fountain, a playground, pedestrian pathways and much more, including beautiful views and, of course, the dog park.
Nelson Park
Location: 1030 Bute St.
Size: 2,074 square metres
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Features: This park is fenced, and please note that dogs are not allowed within the school grounds. Nelson Park is beautiful and features a path system, seating and a water feature.
Stanley Park
Location: Lagoon Drive
Size: 450 square metres
Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Features: Located within the unparalleled Stanley Park, this small dog park is fenced and takes in all of the beauty and amenities Stanley Park has to offer.
Sunset Beach Park
Location: Behind the Vancouver Aquatic Centre
Size: 1,049 square metres
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Features: This off-leash dog park features water access, which is especially nice during those hot west coast summer days. Sunset Beach Park features a concession, recreation fields, the Seawall and washrooms.
The city of Vancouver is dedicated to making our faithful friends feel just as at home as their human companions, and the city developed a strategy for dog-friendly planning in 2017. Read more about it here: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/people-parks-dogs-strategy.aspx#understanding. Stay tuned for more articles in the future about great dog parks to visit in the Vancouver area.
