Dogs on-leash in the Lewiston trails
The trails comprise about 7 km of vegetation reserves that are linked by shared walking tracks and are connected to a playground and off-leash dog park. They are a great open space to walk, run, cycle, and walk your dog or ride your horse.
Council adopted the requirement for dogs to be on-leash in the Lewiston Wetlands and Reserves Trails at the 24 February meeting (item 14.10). This means that all people walking dogs on the trails must make sure their dogs are on a leash that is no longer than 2 metres.
We know that not all dogs present a safety issue, but unfortunately, an environment where dogs and horses often mix brings safety risks.
The decision for dogs to be on-leash in the Lewiston Wetlands and Reserves Trails was made following safety concerns we received about potential conflicts between dogs and horses and their riders, and inconsistent signage. We consulted on a proposal to designate the trails as a dog on-leash area in October and November 2024.
Requiring dogs to be on-leash provides better community safety and clarity about what is expected. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.
Map of the Lewiston Wetlands and Reserves Trails
Consultation in 2024
Under our Dogs By-law 2019, dogs must be on-leash in any ‘wetland area’ (clause 5.2). However, not all of the Lewiston Wetlands and Reserves Trails is classified as a wetland. This understandably caused confusion, because our Dog & Cat Management Plan 2022–2027 listed the Lewiston reserves as an area where dogs could be off-leash.
Concerns had also been raised about the mixed rules for, and possible conflict between, dogs off-leash and horses.
In October and November 2024, we asked for feedback on a proposal to designate the entire Lewiston Wetlands and Reserves Trails as a dog on-leash area. This would provide clarity for people walking dogs about what is expected, and also provide confidence for horse riders that dogs will be on leash.
We received 43 submissions, and heard:
- majority support (68%) for the trails to be designated a dog on-leash area, predominately for community safety reasons
- some indication that there are no significant issues and that some people did not support the proposal
- some requests to have designated times or locations for dogs on/off-leash.
Most of the feedback we received was from people with dogs or horses.
What happens now
A common sense approach to compliance and issuing of fines will be taken under our Dogs By-law.
We are now at work updating signage, our website, and our Dog & Cat Management Plan.
Published 23 April 2025
Last updated 24 April 2025