Dogs in Parks

At the April 8, 2024 Council meeting, Council voted to amend the Animal Control and License Bylaw to restrict leash length and the maximum number of dogs per person on the Centennial Seawalk, Ambleside Seawalk, and Birdsong Path in Lighthouse Park. Dogs are now required to be leashed on Birdsong Path. Learn more.

West Vancouver has many parks, trails, and seaside walks for dogs and their owners to enjoy. Please follow the rules and remember to be community-minded while enjoying our parks. Check all signage before entering any park and keep your dog on a leash where indicated.

Where can I take my dog?

Let your dog stretch its legs in one of 14 off-leash areas:
1. Ballantree Park
  Ballantree (PDF)
2. Benbow Park
3. Seawalk
  North of the fence (19th to 24th Streets only)
4. Clovelly Walk
5. Cypress Falls Park (leash dogs near fast-moving water)
6. Douglas Woodward Park
7. Hay Park
8. Klahanie Park (trails only)
9. Lighthouse Park (trails only except Birdsong Path)
10. Walking trails and fire access roads in the undeveloped lands above the highway (with exceptions; please see map)
11. McKechnie Park
12. Seaview Walk
13. Westhill Park
14. Whytecliff Park (east of Marine Drive)
Dogs are allowed off-leash on walking trails and fire access roads in undeveloped public lands above the Upper Levels Highway. Please:
- do not trespass on private land
- review all signage carefully
- clean up after your dog
Leashed dogs are now permitted on the Centennial Seawalk, which runs from the bottom of 18th Street (west of John Lawson Park) to 25th Street (Dundarave Park). The dog path behind the fence between 19th and 24th Street is still available for dogs to frolic off-leash, but once outside of this fenced dog path, dogs must be leashed.

Leashed dogs are also permitted on the Ambleside Seawalk, the paved seaside walking path within Ambleside Park.

A maximum of two dogs per owner are permitted on these paths.

Prohibited areas

Please remember dogs are not allowed on beaches, sports fields, school facilities, playgrounds and other municipal facilities.

Map and rules

Dog area guide and map (PDF)

West Vancouver is a dog and dog owner's dream. There are trails, parks, seaside walks and lots of designated off-leash areas. Please follow the rules, and you'll get the most out of what this dog-friendly community has to offer. Start exploring!

New dog leash requirements

Dogs are now required to be on a leash, no greater than two metres in length, on the Centennial Seawalk, Ambleside Seawalk, and on Birdsong Path in Lighthouse Park. A maximum of two dogs per person are allowed on these paths.