City narrows off-leash areas after public safety concerns
The City of Medicine Hat has revised its off-leash policy for dogs, concentrating designated zones into five visible, accessible sites totalling 58 hectares. Municipal officials say the changes — including three newly designated unfenced sections — are intended to reduce surprise encounters on trails and improve safety for vulnerable users.
Under the new arrangement, the city now provides roughly 8.5 hectares per 10,000 residents in off-leash space, a ratio the municipality notes exceeds averages in most Canadian jurisdictions. City staff moved to tighten the network after an extensive public engagement process revealed trail users were visiting less frequently because of unpredictable meetings with unleashed animals and confusion over zone boundaries.
Where the changes apply
The City identified three newly designated unfenced off-leash areas by name: a section on the east side of Echo Dale Regional Park, a corridor running along the Ranchlands and Parkview neighbourhoods, and a portion of the Ross Glen natural area. Officials said the five selected sites were chosen for their high visibility, wide-open layouts and multiple access points to minimise surprise encounters.
| Site | Fenced? |
|---|---|
| East side of Echo Dale Regional Park | Unfenced |
| Corridor along Ranchlands and Parkview | Unfenced |
| Ross Glen natural area (section) | Unfenced |
| Two additional selected sites (not individually named in the release) | Designated (details on City map) |
Officials cite safety, clarity and compliance
While engagement found most pet owners act responsibly, city staff documented accounts of severe but under-reported incidents involving unleashed dogs and vulnerable trail users — including children, wildlife and people using mobility aids. In announcing the policy shift, Scott Richter, acting director of Parks and Recreation, said the city must put safety first.
“We recognize that there will be mixed perspectives from residents on this decision, but the need to prioritise public safety is clear,”
Richter added that the city takes pride in its extensive network of trails and open spaces and that the off-leash area changes are intended to ensure those spaces are "safe and welcoming for all to enjoy." New boundary markers will be installed throughout the network and any park or trail without explicit off-leash signage will require pets to remain leashed.
What residents need to know next
The five sites together span the publicly stated 58 hectares, and the city says the locations were selected to reduce surprise encounters. Maps and detailed policy information are available on the municipal website at medicinehat.ca/offleash. The city’s announcement emphasised that the changes follow significant public feedback and are meant to balance dog-owner access with broader community safety.
- Designated off-leash provision equals approximately 8.5 hectares per 10,000 residents.
- Three named unfenced areas: Echo Dale east, Ranchlands/Parkview corridor, Ross Glen section.
- New boundary markers will be installed; no explicit off-leash signage means dogs must be leashed.
For many Medicine Hat residents, the practical effect will be clearer expectations and defined places for off-leash activity. For others — especially habitual users of trails outside the new sites — the changes could mean rerouting walks or keeping pets leashed in previously informal locations. The city is positioning the move as a targeted response to safety concerns rather than a reduction in overall off-leash access.
Residents with questions about specific locations, accessibility or enforcement are directed to review the posted maps and policy documents on the City of Medicine Hat website or contact Parks and Recreation for clarification.
