The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has finished working on an expansion project at Alpha Lake Dog Park to give dog owners and their dogs additional off-leash space and separation from the Valley Trail.
The RMOW constructed a dog off-leash area within Alpha Lake Park in 2005 as a result of high demand from the community when the municipality acquired an addition to Alpha Lake Park. The area is commonly known as "Arfa Park" and includes a dock for dogs.
With demand for the park continuing to grow, and increasing conflicts between dog owners and non-dog owners, the RMOW determined that an expansion to the off-leash area was required. The project increased the size of the dog off-leash area and separated it from the Valley Trail. The project also included resurfacing the off-leash area with gravel, to allow for easier maintenance, as well as creating a sand pit for digging.
As part of the park improvement project, a human-only swim dock was added on the other side of Jordan Creek for those accessing the beach area.
In addition to Alpha Lake Park, the following parks in Whistler have marked and signed off-leash areas:
- Rainbow Park
- Lost Lake Park
- Bayly Park
The dog off-leash areas are separate from the public swimming beaches, playgrounds and waterparks for public health and safety reasons.
Whistler is a pet-friendly community and asks dog owners to follow rules for responsible pet ownership. Off-leash dogs must be in the owner’s control and remain in off-leash areas. Owners must also have a leash visible, and leash dogs, when entering and exiting off-leash areas. Dog owners should note that any dog roaming at large in the municipality is liable to seizure and impoundment.
For more information on dogs in Whistler, visit www.whistler.ca/dogs.
