All municipal leash-free dog parks in Clarington are now open.
Park users must keep a two-meter distance from another person who is not a member of their household. Practice strict physical distancing and stay safe. Bring your own hand sanitizer. If possible, wear a non-medical mask.
Clarington’s leash-free dog parks in Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle are places where dogs can run free and owners can enjoy exercising with their pets outdoors.
The leash-free park in Bowmanville is located south of Highway 401 in the Bowmanville Harbour Conservation Area. Take Liberty Street South to Lake Road. Turn east on Lake Road and then south at Port Darlington Road. After crossing the railroad tracks, turn west onto West Beach Road. Follow the signs, the park is on the south side of the road.
The Courtice Leash-Free Dog Park is a 1.5-acre fenced dog park located on the east side of the South Courtice artificial turf field. The park features separate areas for large and small dogs and is located east of the turf field at South Courtice Arena, 1595 Prestonvale Road, Courtice.
The leash-free park in Newcastle is located behind the Diane Hamre Recreation Complex at 1780 Rudell Road. Follow Highway 2 to Rudell Road and turn south. The driveway into the Recreation Complex is on the west side of Rudell Road, approximately 300 metres south of Highway 2. Park at the west end of the parking lot and follow the limestone trail to the fenced leash-free park.
Listed below are the leash-free dog park rules:
Leash-free dog park etiquette
- For safety reasons, children under six years are not allowed to enter the park.
- An adult must supervise any child between 6 and 12 years of age.
- Keep your dog(s) on leash until you are inside the fenced area.
- Upon entering and exiting, keep your dog(s) on leash to prevent escapes.
- Do not bring toys, this may create guarding or territorial issues.
- Do not bring any food (including dog treats) into the leash-free park.
- Clean up after your dog.
- Do not bring female dogs in heat or unaltered male dogs into the park.
- Limit the number of dogs you bring into the park to a maximum of three.
- Always keep your dog in sight and within voice range.
- Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations.
- If your dog is bullying, or being bullied, leave the park immediately.
- No digging. Fill in any holes your dog has created.
- Respect the rules of the dog park.