Doggie Dos & Doggie Don’ts
Weaselhead is a shared use natural area in which there are rules for everybody.
There are rules for fishermen, rules for birdwatchers, rules for boaters, rules for cyclists and, yes, there are even rules for dogs.
Not all dog owners like these rules, of course. And, as always there are people who believe that the rules apply to every dog in the park except their own.
But most dog owners are just happy that their favourite activity, walking with their pet in a beautiful park, is not completely banned like so many other activities in the Weaselhead area — camping, swimming and picnicing, just to name a few.
So what are the rules? Well there aren’t that many really.
Since there are two large off leash areas adjacent to the Weaselhead on 66th Ave in Lakeview and along the 37th St green belt in Oakridge, off leash dogs in the Weaselhead are strictly forbidden. Owners with off leash dogs are subject to fines handed out by city bylaw officers.
Taking your dog off of the paved pathway in the Weaselhead is also illegal. This has been the case for many years since the city set the area aside to protect south Calgary’s drinking water supply and there are many signs in the park, old and new, making this clear.
Also, as in all city parks, dog owners are required to pick up after their pets. In the specific case of the Weaselhead, this helps to protect our drinking water but it also has the added benefit of reducing the attractiveness of the area to coyotes and other scavengers who derive nurtitional benefits from undigested dog food.
And finally, dogs (like humans) are prohibited from entering the water or going out onto the ice during winter.
So like fishermen, bird watchers, hikers and bikers, dogs are welcome in the Weaselhead Natural Environment Area. Like everyone else, though, they are expected to obey the rules set up to ensure that the park remains natural and open to the public.
