Go Back

Dog Off-Leash Area Separation Gates Feedback Survey

Share Dog Off-Leash Area Separation Gates Feedback Survey on Facebook Share Dog Off-Leash Area Separation Gates Feedback Survey on Twitter Share Dog Off-Leash Area Separation Gates Feedback Survey on Linkedin Email Dog Off-Leash Area Separation Gates Feedback Survey link

Consultation has concluded

Project Update, October 19, 2023: Thank you to those who took the time to share their experiences using these off-leash areas. Results of the survey are now available. Check out the infographic below, or click here for the attachment.

Project Background

In June 2022, New Westminster Parks and Recreation began a pilot project for an optional separation gate between the small/shy dog area and the main off-leash areas at Moody Park and Queen’s Park. This was one of the recommendations in the People Parks and Pups Strategy. At users’ discretion, the optional separation gate can be opened to create one large all-dog area, or closed to create a separate small/shy dog area. All dogs can still use the small-dog-area entrance if the optional separation gate is open (areas are not separated).

Now that the optional separation gates have been available for about a year, City staff are seeking feedback from the users of these off-leash areas.

The pilot project resulted from previous community feedback after a temporary small/shy dog area was created in the Moody Park off-leash dog area on a trial basis in 2018. At the end of the trial period, a survey was conducted to gather input from park users.

Feedback indicated that the majority of participants were in favor of creating a permanent small/shy dog off-leash dog area; however, many residents also expressed a need to create more flexibility within the off-leash area within the amount of space available.


What is the survey on?

This survey seeks off-leash area users’ experiences using the separation gates at Queen’s Park and Moody Park since June 2022. We want your feedback on how the separation pilot has been working in Moody Park and Queen's Park off-leash areas.

Separation gate in use at Queen's ParkSeparation gate open at Moody Park


What will the survey achieve?

We will primarily use the survey results to identify best practices for incorporation of optional separation gates in existing and future off-leash areas in New Westminster. Depending on the feedback received, we may also make some adjustments to the operation of the gate system at Moody and Queen's parks with the intention of improving people’s experience in the off-leash areas.

Complete our short survey to share your feedback on the separation gates at Moody Park and Queen’s Park. The survey will be open until end of day August 21, 2023.

Project Update, October 19, 2023: Thank you to those who took the time to share their experiences using these off-leash areas. Results of the survey are now available. Check out the infographic below, or click here for the attachment.

Project Background

In June 2022, New Westminster Parks and Recreation began a pilot project for an optional separation gate between the small/shy dog area and the main off-leash areas at Moody Park and Queen’s Park. This was one of the recommendations in the People Parks and Pups Strategy. At users’ discretion, the optional separation gate can be opened to create one large all-dog area, or closed to create a separate small/shy dog area. All dogs can still use the small-dog-area entrance if the optional separation gate is open (areas are not separated).

Now that the optional separation gates have been available for about a year, City staff are seeking feedback from the users of these off-leash areas.

The pilot project resulted from previous community feedback after a temporary small/shy dog area was created in the Moody Park off-leash dog area on a trial basis in 2018. At the end of the trial period, a survey was conducted to gather input from park users.

Feedback indicated that the majority of participants were in favor of creating a permanent small/shy dog off-leash dog area; however, many residents also expressed a need to create more flexibility within the off-leash area within the amount of space available.


What is the survey on?

This survey seeks off-leash area users’ experiences using the separation gates at Queen’s Park and Moody Park since June 2022. We want your feedback on how the separation pilot has been working in Moody Park and Queen's Park off-leash areas.

Separation gate in use at Queen's ParkSeparation gate open at Moody Park


What will the survey achieve?

We will primarily use the survey results to identify best practices for incorporation of optional separation gates in existing and future off-leash areas in New Westminster. Depending on the feedback received, we may also make some adjustments to the operation of the gate system at Moody and Queen's parks with the intention of improving people’s experience in the off-leash areas.

Complete our short survey to share your feedback on the separation gates at Moody Park and Queen’s Park. The survey will be open until end of day August 21, 2023.

Consultation has concluded

Do you have questions about the separation gates at the dog off-leash areas at Moody and Queen's parks? Type a question here, and we'll aim to reply within five business days. If we think your question would be of interest to others, we'll post your question and our response here. 

Thanks for taking the time to ask questions!

  • Share Will you be adding a separation gate at Hume Park. Will I be notified on any decisions made on which parks will get separation gates? on Facebook Share Will you be adding a separation gate at Hume Park. Will I be notified on any decisions made on which parks will get separation gates? on Twitter Share Will you be adding a separation gate at Hume Park. Will I be notified on any decisions made on which parks will get separation gates? on Linkedin Email Will you be adding a separation gate at Hume Park. Will I be notified on any decisions made on which parks will get separation gates? link

    Will you be adding a separation gate at Hume Park. Will I be notified on any decisions made on which parks will get separation gates?

    Rooftop asked over 1 year ago

    Hello and thank you for your question about the dog off-leash area at Hume Park. 

    We have not received any public requests for an optional separation gate at Hume Park, and have no plans to install a gate there. However, the Hume Park Master Plan does include plans for an area for small/shy dogs as well as an all-dog area. The proposed changes are not expected to include an optional separation gate. 

    Park users will be notified of any future separation gate installations in the City’s existing dog off-leash areas by way of site signage, social media posts, and info on the City website.

  • Share People with Cynophobia ( many of whom have ASD) cannot use any parks anymore because dog owners do not comply with the ON-Leash laws. With so many illegal off-leash dogs people don’t feel safe. It doesn’t matter if the dog is friendly, a well trained dog, or a small dog, when someone with a fear/phobia/allergy/immune compromised sees a dog off leash that suave is no longer safe. New west needs to become Dog Aware. Keep dog zoNleash areas strongly enforced so my 8 yr old son with son Cynophobia can also use the parks! People have a right to expect to on-leash areas to be dogs ON-Leash. So, what will be done to ensure all people can use your parks? How will you guarantee that dog on leash areas will be free of loose dogs? It is your duty and responsibility to uphold the laws. on Facebook Share People with Cynophobia ( many of whom have ASD) cannot use any parks anymore because dog owners do not comply with the ON-Leash laws. With so many illegal off-leash dogs people don’t feel safe. It doesn’t matter if the dog is friendly, a well trained dog, or a small dog, when someone with a fear/phobia/allergy/immune compromised sees a dog off leash that suave is no longer safe. New west needs to become Dog Aware. Keep dog zoNleash areas strongly enforced so my 8 yr old son with son Cynophobia can also use the parks! People have a right to expect to on-leash areas to be dogs ON-Leash. So, what will be done to ensure all people can use your parks? How will you guarantee that dog on leash areas will be free of loose dogs? It is your duty and responsibility to uphold the laws. on Twitter Share People with Cynophobia ( many of whom have ASD) cannot use any parks anymore because dog owners do not comply with the ON-Leash laws. With so many illegal off-leash dogs people don’t feel safe. It doesn’t matter if the dog is friendly, a well trained dog, or a small dog, when someone with a fear/phobia/allergy/immune compromised sees a dog off leash that suave is no longer safe. New west needs to become Dog Aware. Keep dog zoNleash areas strongly enforced so my 8 yr old son with son Cynophobia can also use the parks! People have a right to expect to on-leash areas to be dogs ON-Leash. So, what will be done to ensure all people can use your parks? How will you guarantee that dog on leash areas will be free of loose dogs? It is your duty and responsibility to uphold the laws. on Linkedin Email People with Cynophobia ( many of whom have ASD) cannot use any parks anymore because dog owners do not comply with the ON-Leash laws. With so many illegal off-leash dogs people don’t feel safe. It doesn’t matter if the dog is friendly, a well trained dog, or a small dog, when someone with a fear/phobia/allergy/immune compromised sees a dog off leash that suave is no longer safe. New west needs to become Dog Aware. Keep dog zoNleash areas strongly enforced so my 8 yr old son with son Cynophobia can also use the parks! People have a right to expect to on-leash areas to be dogs ON-Leash. So, what will be done to ensure all people can use your parks? How will you guarantee that dog on leash areas will be free of loose dogs? It is your duty and responsibility to uphold the laws. link

    People with Cynophobia ( many of whom have ASD) cannot use any parks anymore because dog owners do not comply with the ON-Leash laws. With so many illegal off-leash dogs people don’t feel safe. It doesn’t matter if the dog is friendly, a well trained dog, or a small dog, when someone with a fear/phobia/allergy/immune compromised sees a dog off leash that suave is no longer safe. New west needs to become Dog Aware. Keep dog zoNleash areas strongly enforced so my 8 yr old son with son Cynophobia can also use the parks! People have a right to expect to on-leash areas to be dogs ON-Leash. So, what will be done to ensure all people can use your parks? How will you guarantee that dog on leash areas will be free of loose dogs? It is your duty and responsibility to uphold the laws.

    Dogaware asked over 1 year ago

    Hello and thank you for your questions. In 2022, the City adopted a People, Parks and Pups Strategy to take a proactive approach to sharing New Westminster’s limited park space among those with and without dogs. The process for developing the Strategy included conversations between dog owners and non-dog owners to ensure that the City’s parks and open space system feel inviting and safe for all users. To support this goal, the City aims to attract use of off-leash areas by improving existing and/or adding new dog off-leash areas. In addition, we continue to educate and create awareness on respectful dog etiquette in parks and public spaces.

    If you continue to experience off-leash dogs outside of designated dog off-leash areas, please notify animal control at 604-519-2008. To the extent possible, please note the specific time(s) and location(s) so that an officer can monitor the situation.