Dog Exercise Areas
Dog Exercise Areas:
Dog owners know their best friend is happiest when he/she gets to run around and socialize without being attached to a leash. So to keep your dog healthy and happy here is a list of places in Whatcom County where they can play leash-free, but remember in order to maintain the privilege, please pick up after your pet. Most of these areas are stocked with a clean-up station for your convenience.
This list was generated from information provided by the Whatcom Humane Society:
- Arroyo Park: All trails.
- Lake Padden Park: The training area marked behind the athletic field restroom facilities in southeastern part of the park in the area bounded by four (4) white posts marked Dog Exercise Area; bridle Wails in the wooded portion of the Park west of Padden Creek Dam and Ruby Creek entrance into the Lake; and the trails in the south end of Lake Padden between the golf course power lines and trailhead off Samish Way. Dogs are required to be on a leash when on the around-the-lake trail. A dog water exercise area near the ballfield area is signed for dog training/exercise. Dogs are restricted to entering Lake Padden only at this area
- Sunset Pond and Bug Lake: All trails plus the water is designated for water exercise and training area.
- Whatcom Falls Park: All trails across Whatcom Creek stone bridge north of the creek.
- Post Point Treatment Area: The field, trails and the lagoon water designated area adjacent to the treatment facility are open for dog training and exercise. City park regulations apply to this area.
- Sehome Hill Arboretum: All secondary trails. Dogs must be on leashes on all paved trails plus the Jersey Street and Arboretum Walkway which are the two trails at the bottom of the Arobretum abutting the University campus.
- Little Squalicum Park: All trails, plus the water, are designated for water exercise and training area.
- Bloedel Donovan Park: The Park is designated an off leash park only from November 1 to May 1. The beach area is open for a water exercise area during this time.
When a dog is in a designated off-leash exercise and training area, it is the owners/handlers option to keep the dog under control by means of a leash. When the dog is off leash, the owner/handler must keep the dog under voice or sound control and is therefore responsible for all action, behavior and clean up of the dog.
For additional information about exercise areas for you and your pet, including those with restrictions, please click here to link to the Whatcom Humane Society: WHS - Park Ordinances
