One in four residents avoid some parks over dog concerns, survey finds

A new City of Port Moody survey has found that 26 percent of respondents avoid certain parks because of dog-related concerns, with Bert Flinn Park and Rocky Point Park named most often. The findings were presented to council on July 14 as the first phase of engagement for the city’s new People, Dogs, and Public Spaces Strategy.

The 349 respondents split roughly 58 percent dog owners to 42 percent non-owners, and their experiences diverged sharply: 79 percent of dog owners reported positive experiences with dogs in parks, compared with far more mixed responses from non-owners. Both groups agreed on what drives the difference — leashed, controlled dogs made for good experiences; off-leash dogs in on-leash areas and uncollected waste soured them.

One notable wrinkle: nearly 40 percent of dog owners admitted letting their dog off-leash in on-leash areas at least occasionally, most often because they trusted their dog’s behaviour — even though designated off-leash areas remain popular, used by more than 83 percent of dog owners surveyed.

What to watch next: a second phase of public engagement is planned for early 2027, when residents will be asked to weigh in on draft recommendations before a final strategy goes to council. (Reporting on this survey draws on original coverage by Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch.)