The City is improving the off-leash area in Canoe Landing Park. The off-leash area design will be determined through community engagement.

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  • July 2025: Hire a design team
  • Summer 2025: Community Engagement Phase 1, and design development
  • Fall 2025: Community Engagement Phase 2
  • October to December 2025: Detailed design
  • March 2026: Hire a construction team
  • May 2026: Construction starts,
  • September 2026: Construction complete, off-leash area reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

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Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as an Involve project based on the International Association for Public Participation Spectrum. This means we work directly with the public and stakeholders throughout the design process to ensure that ideas and aspirations are understood and considered in the design of the off-leash area.

In this phase, the City collected feedback from the community on off-leash area features and confirmed the location for the new off-leash area. This input will help shape the design options in Community Engagement Phase 2.

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

September 2025

Online Survey

From August 18 to September 19, an online survey gathered feedback on the proposed expansion and improvements to the dogs off-leash area. The activity received a total of 363 participants.

Feedback Summary

Respondents liked the current off-leash area’s location (48 per cent), the fencing (35 per cent), the sightlines and visibility from the street (27 per cent) and the engineered wood chip surface (21 per cent).

Respondents disliked the current off-leash area’s engineered wood chip surface (56 per cent), the single-gate entries (53 per cent), the lighting (43 per cent) and the fencing (37 per cent).

Addition comments included the size of the off-leash area (66 comments), lack of water fountain (28 comments), lack of shade (21 comments) and lack of seating (20 comments).

Respondents were asked to rate their agreement with several statements about the proposed location and expansion of the off-leash area. 86 per cent agreed the location is easy to access for dog owners and caregivers

  • 79 per cent agreed the location minimizes conflict with other park uses (e.g. playgrounds, pathways, sports fields)
  • 75 per cent agreed the expanded area provides a more comfortable experience for both dogs and people
  • 74 per cent agreed the location is appropriate within the overall park layout
  • 74 per cent agreed the expansion improves the overall functionality of the off-leash area
  • 66 per cent agreed the location allows for a variety of uses and movement by dogs
  • 66 per cent agreed the location and expansion provide enough space for dogs to run and play

Overall, 73 per cent of respondents indicated they were satisfied with the proposed location and expansion of the off-leash area at Canoe Landing Park. 50 comments suggested expanding the proposed location, 35 comments suggested changing the surfacing and 30 comments suggested adding a small dog area.

The off-leash area features that mattered most to respondents were the size of the off-leash area (22 per cent), cleanliness and maintenance (21 per cent) and the surface material (19 per cent). 19 comments said the availability of a water fountain and 12 comments said the availability of a small dog area.

When asked to rank which features should be prioritized in the design of the new off-leash area, respondents ranked a dog drinking fountain the highest (21 per cent), followed by natural play elements (16 per cent), a small dog area (16 per cent) and benches (15 per cent).

Additional comments included:

  • Change surfacing (14 comments)
  • Double gated entrances (nine comments)
  • Shade (eight comments)
  • More regular maintenance and cleaning (seven comments)

Respondents were asked if they had any other comments about proposed features for the off-leash area, including design elements, benefits, potential concerns or other observations. Responses are shown in parentheses below.

  • Change the surfacing (24 comments)
  • Add double-gated entrances (13 comments)
  • Expand the proposed location (10 comments)
  • Add a small dog area (10 comments)
In-Person Pop-Up Events

The project team hosted two pop-up events at Canoe Landing Park on August 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and September 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. to share information about the off-leash area improvements and collect community feedback.

Feedback Summary

Participants were asked to give their feedback on the proposed location and expansion of the off-leash area, along with potential features that could be added. Approximately 94 people, many of whom were accompanied by their dogs, participated by using stickers to indicate their preferences.

Comments from participants regarding the proposed location and expansion of the off-leash area included:

  • Expand the proposed area (five comments)
  • Add a separate small dog area (three comments)

Respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement with the following sentences about the proposal. Responses are shown in parentheses below.

  • The location provides enough space for dogs to run and play (five agreed; five were unsure; and five disagreed).
  • The location is appropriate within the overall park layout (12 agreed; one was unsure; and two disagreed).
  • The location minimizes conflict with other park uses (seven agreed; five were unsure; and two disagreed).
  • The location is easy to access for dog owners and caregivers (nine agreed, and two were unsure).
  • The expansion provides a comfortable experience for both dogs and people (seven agreed; two were unsure; and three disagreed).
  • The location allows for a variety of uses and movement by dogs (five agreed; three were unsure; and three disagreed).
  • The expansion improves the overall functionality of the off-leash area (nine agreed; and five were unsure).

Respondents were asked for their feedback on potential features in the off-leash area. Responses are shown in parentheses below.

  • Seating (21 said yes).
  • Shade structure (21 said yes).
  • Natural elements (10 said yes; two said no).
  • Water bottle filling station (12 said yes; one said no).
  • Dog drinking fountain (22 said yes).
  • Agility tunnels (five said yes; four said no).
  • Weave poles (nine said yes; one said no).
  • Dog ramp (10 said yes).

Additional comments included:

  • Change surfacing to turf (eight comments)
  • Add a small dog area (seven comments)
  • Current surfacing is very dirty and muddy (five comments)
  • Lighting is needed for safety (four comments)

June 2025

Virtual Meeting

On June 20, key stakeholders from local schools and school board trustees attended a virtual meeting hosted by the local Councillor, where an update on the project was provided.

In this phase, the City and design consultant will build on the outcomes of Community Engagement Phase 1 to develop design options for the off-leash area. These options will be shared with the community for feedback, which will help inform the preferred design.

The community engagement activities anticipated in this phase include:

  • an online survey
  • a virtual public meeting

In this phase, the preferred design for the off-leash area will be shared with the community on this page and the project mailing list. The project will then move into the detailed design phase where the design team will work through the technical details and plans for the construction contractor.

Map of Canoe Landing Park showing the proposed expansion of the existing. The expansion extends south beyond the main west-east pathway.
Planting beds, a splash pad and a playground are grouped near the northeast corner of the proposed off-leash area. The park also includes a multi-purpose field and a soccer field on its east side.