Park Ordinances

The purpose of this information is to acquaint you with the City Ordinances relating to having animals within City of Bellingham park facilities. (Ord. #9044 and #9561)

General Regulations

All dogs in City Parks must be under control by means of being ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES unless in an area designated for dog exercise and training.

The owner or handler of any dog is to REMOVE FECAL MATTER deposited by their animal on public property or public easement before the owner leaves the immediate area where the fecal matter was deposited.

The owner or handler of any dog must have in their possession the equipment necessary to remove their dog's fecal matter when accompanied by said dog on pubic easement.

VIOLATION OF REGULATIONS

Any violation of the provisions of the animal regulations is a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00

The City has designated, by City Policy PAR 3.0120 the following Park areas where dogs can be off leash for exercise and training. The handler is still responsible for keeping their dog under control and responsible for all action, behavior and clean up of the dog.



Off-Leash Areas

The following are the only areas designated for off-leash dog exercise and training as signed.

• 1. Fenced Off-Leash areas.
  
  
• 2. Arroyo Park: All Trails.
  
  
• 3. Lake Padden Park:
  
  
  • a. The fenced off-leash area near the ballfields in the southeastern part of the Park
    
    
  • b. Trails as designated at the east end of the park between the fenced off-leash area and Galbraith entry on E. Samish.
    
    
  • c. A dog water exercise area near the ballfields area (east side of Lake) is signed for dog training/exercise. Dogs are restricted to entering Lake Padden only in this area.
    
    
• 4. Sunset Pond: All trails plus the water are designated for water exercise and training area.
  
  
• 5. 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 Arboretum abutting the University campus.
  
  
• 6. Bloedel Donovan Park: During daylight hours from October 1 to April 30 and until 10:00 am from May 1 to September 30.
  
  
• 7. Whatcom Falls Park: The Waterline Trail (south of Whatcom Creek) west of the Water Treatment Plant to Bayview Cemetery and the trail from the Waterline Trail south to Lakeway.
  
  
• 8. Little Squalicum Park: All Trails. (Note - Little Squalicum Creek may contain hazardous chemical which may be harmful to animals. Also, the Little Squalicum Beach area is NOT owned or regulated by the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.)
  
  

When a dog is within 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 still is to keep the dog under voice or sound control and is therefore responsible for all action, behavior and clean up of the dog.



Horses

Horses are only allowed on paved roads open to motor vehicles OR designated trails and parks as follows:

• Arroyo Park. All trails
  
  
• Cornwall Park. Wooded area between ballfield & pedestrian trail
  
  
• Lake Padden Park: Bridle trails on wooded side of park above pedestrian trail.
  
  
• Little Squalicum Park. Trail from Bham Technical College to Bay
  
  Whatcom Falls Park: Trails across the bridge
  
  

Animal Restricted Areas

NO DOGS ALLOWED:

• 1. Playgrounds
  
  
• 2. Spray Parks
  
  
• 3. Athletic Fields
  
  
• 4. Tennis Courts
  
  

ON LEASH AREAS:

All areas not posted require dogs to be on a leash as part of City Park Code and Citywide Leash Law.

Due to heavy use by the public plus safety and health concerns, there are several park areas where dogs and domestic animals are not allowed.

• Lake Padden Park and Bloedel Donovan swimming beach areas and on any park land within fifteen (15) feet of the edge of Lake Padden or Lake Whatcom. The beach areas at each site are defined as:
  
  
  • Lake Padden beach is designated as all land directly between the beach house parking lot sidewalk and the lake.
    
    
  • Bloedel Donovan beach is designated as all land bounded by the park/community building parking lot, boat launch and the lake.
    
    
• Cornwall Park and Fairhaven Park wading pools.
  
  
• The athletic field playing surfaces located at:
  
  
  • Frank Geri Fields (Civic Field Complex).
    
    
  • Downer Fields (Civic Field Complex)
    
    
  • Lake Padden Park Fields.
    
    
  • Battersby Field.
    
    
  • Inside fences areas of Civic Field Stadium.
    
    
  • Inside fenced areas of Joe Martin Field Stadium
    
    
• Within all park playground equipment areas.
  
  
• Lower level of Boulevard Park west of the path along the parking lot including all grass areas and the path along the bay shoreline, path to craft studio and path near the playground equipment Dogs are allowed on leash on the path next to the parking lot and to the saltwater trestle along the trail to the south end of the park and to the overhead trestle and trail at the north end of the park.
  
  
• All of Bloedel Donovan Park during the period of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.