Proposed Dog Off-leash Program
Thank you for your interest in dog off-leash recreational play
in Bend Park and Recreation District parks. The purpose of the
off-leash program is to provide opportunities for people to
recreate with their dogs off-leash while balancing the
interests of all park users. 
Background
People in Bend have asked for places to recreate with their dogs off-leash for many years. Until the fall of 2007, City of Bend Ordinances prohibited dogs to be off-leash within the Bend city limits except on private property. An amendment to the dog-at-large city ordinance opened the door for Bend Park and Recreation District and the City of Bend to work together to meet the community's need for off-leash opportunities. In May of 2008, a scientifically valid survey of district residents found that off-leash recreation is a highly desired park use that is not currently being met.
Off-leash Program Benefits to the
Community 
- Designated spaces for dogs and their owners reduce the likelihood that dogs will be let loose in other recreational areas.
- Dogs help people socialize and create a sense of community.
- Off-leash areas can help promote exercise in their human owners.
Guiding Principles for Bend Park & Recreation's off-leash program
- Providing an adequate quantity of off-leash sites throughout the city will help ensure that off-leash areas are not overcrowded and difficult or costly to maintain.
- People enjoy recreating with their dogs off-leash in fenced off-leash areas, on trails and on sites with water access; this program will provide opportunities for all.
- Off-leash areas will either be fenced or defined by boundary markers; all off-leash areas will include signage, dog waste stations and garbage cans.
- Off-leash park users have a responsibility to help minimize user conflicts by demonstrating mutual respect and abiding by park rules.
- Expansion of this opening of off-leash sites will be based upon the success of the initial sites.
Proposed Sites
The
following sites are being offered for public consideration.
They were chosen for their ability to meet program goals and
provide access in each quadrant of the city. Public input will
help determine the final site selection. It is the intent of
the district to open off-leash areas in the spring of 2009.
Hours: Off-leash areas will be open during regular park
hours of 5:00 am - 10:00 pm.
1. Big Sky - Located in NE Bend in the
Big Sky Sports Complex. Under this proposal, off-leash access
would include the undeveloped land to the east of the existing
(fenced) dog park to provide additional trail and open
space. This new area is not fenced. It would
nearly double the space available and provide trail
opportunities.
2. High Desert -Located across from Knott Landfill in SE Bend, this 30+ acre area of undeveloped land would accommodate both trail use and open recreation. The first phase would include a parking area and a new trail system for active off-leash recreation. Fencing along Knott Rd. may be included if funds are available. In the future, turf and other amenities could be added.
3. Pine Nursery - Located on Purcell Rd. in NE Bend, this 20+ acre site within the 159 acre Pine Nursery Community Park complex will accommodate both trails and open recreation. The off-leash area would be fenced. Over time, as funds and community interests indicate, this could become a more traditional "dog park" with more than one turf area, trails and a water feature.
4. Awbrey Reservoir - Located off 10th and Trenton in NW Bend, this 10+ acre site surrounds the city's water reservoir facility. It is owned by the City of Bend, and may be available for legal off-leash use under a special agreement. The area would not be fenced. Boundary markers would restrict off-leash use near residences.
5. Overturf Butte Reservoir - Located between Skyliner Summit Loop and NW 17th St. in NW Bend, this 30+ acre site is also owned by the City of Bend and would require a special agreement. It is undeveloped, currently popular with local off-leash users and has trail connections to adjacent neighborhoods. The off-leash area would be defined with markers but not fenced. Off-leash use would not be allowed east of the city's utility road.
6. Hollinshead Community Park - Located at 1235 NE Jones Rd. Current illegal use occurs next to the community garden and extends to the rental barn. Proposed use would be south of the parking lot (across the parking lot from the garden) along the southwest side of the park. The off-leash area would be defined with boundary markers to restrict use near residences. This would not be a fully fenced site.
7. Riverbend Beach - Located off Columbia St. in the Old Mill District adjacent to the new Riverbend Community Park, this land is owned by William Smith Properties and is being leased by Bend Park and Recreation. This site could accommodate both off-leash use and river access. There are no plans to fence this site at this time. A detour of the Deschutes River Trail will give runners and walkers an option around the off-leash area.
8. Ponderosa Community Park - Located at 225 SE 15th St., this older park was recently master planned to include off-leash use. Although funding for full redevelopment of the park is likely to be several years away, the off-leash area would be designated now to give SE residents access to off-leash recreation. The 2 +/- acre site would be located west of the ball field bleachers and include both turf and natural area. It would be defined by boundary markers and may include partial fencing as a barrier to other park uses.
Note: Off-leash use is legal on public land outside Park and Recreation District boundaries including the USFC land west of Bend off Century Drive near Meadow Camp. DogPAC, a local dog advocacy group, will be publishing a comprehensive brochure describing access and limitations in the region.
How Sites Were Selected
Criteria were developed to help evaluate parks and
trails throughout the entire park system. The eight
parks being proposed satisfactorily met these interests.
A. Size: Off-leash areas should be a minimum of
½ acre in size based on size of park, location of
existing park features and existing use patterns.
B. Environmental Impacts: Sites should not
negatively impact fish, birds or their nests, riparian habitat
or other wildlife habitat areas.
C. Slope: Sites should be relatively level to
moderately rolling terrain. Steep or erosive sites should
be avoided.
D. Residences: Sites should have minimal impact on
adjacent residential areas.
E. Adjacent Recreation Program Uses: Unfenced
off-leash sites should be located away from playgrounds, sports
fields, and picnic areas.
F. Parking: Off-leash areas should have adequate parking
appropriate to the site and use.
G. Competing use: Off-leash areas should not unduly
displace competing park use.
H. Access: People should have direct access to the
off-leash area; sites should have the ability to meet ADA
accommodations. Sites should not impact routes to schools.
I. Heavy Traffic: Unfenced sites should not be adjacent to
streets with heavy traffic without some kind of visual or
structural barrier to deter dogs from the street.
Off-leash Management and Enforcement
• Rules will be posted at each off-leash
site.
• An Adopt-a-Park program tailored to the needs of
off-leash areas will facilitate volunteer advocacy and care for
these areas.
• Community education on such topics as dog etiquette
will be offered by DogPAC, a community dog advocacy group.
• City of Bend Police and/or the Park and Recreation
District Park Ranger will have enforcement authority.
Citations and exclusions may be issued.
Off-leash Park Rules
The intent of these rules is to create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all park users.
Handlers must:
• Keep dogs on leash outside designated off-leash
areas.
• Pick up and dispose of your dog's waste.
• Carry a leash for each dog in your care.
• Closely supervise young children. Children under
the age of 8 may not be in the off-leash area unsupervised.
• Accept responsibility for any damage or injury
caused by your dog.
• Remain in the off-leash area to supervise your dog,
keeping him/her within view and under verbal control at all
times.
• Bring no more than three dogs to the off-leash area
at any time.
• Not bring a dog in heat to a Bend park.
• Not bring a puppy without a complete cycle of
vaccinations to a Bend park.
• Display tags showing proof of current license and
rabies vaccinations on all dogs.
• Immediately leash and remove any dog that that
displays aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs.
• Comply with all other park rules.
Dogs must:
• Obey voice commands.
• Not harm or act aggressive toward other dogs or
people.
Adopt-a-Dog Park
Share your love for dogs and their owners by adopting an
off-leash area.
Volunteers provide information to people and their pets, help
with stocking pet waste supply stations, assist park staff with
litter management and park maintenance, and help with special
events at the off-leash area.
For more information, call Kim Johnson at 389-7275.
