The City of North Bay is launching a pilot project to convert four outdoor ice rinks into seasonal off-leash dog zones [1].

This initiative addresses a growing demand from residents for more dedicated spaces where pets can exercise without leashes. By utilizing existing municipal infrastructure during the warmer months, the city can test the viability of these locations before committing to permanent installations.

The pilot program includes four temporary sites located at Sage Park, Kinette Playground, Greenhill Park, and Police Playground [2, 3]. These areas will open during the summer of 2026 to provide immediate relief for dog owners seeking accessible outdoor recreation [3].

In addition to the temporary rink conversions, the city is implementing spring upgrades to the existing Bruman Dog Park [1, 2]. These improvements are part of a broader effort to enhance the city's pet-friendly infrastructure and respond to community feedback regarding the lack of available off-leash areas [1].

The municipal government is using this seasonal approach to gauge how residents utilize the different neighborhoods. This data will likely inform future decisions on where to place permanent dog parks, balancing accessibility with the needs of other park users.

Local officials said the project is a direct response to community feedback requesting more off-leash dog spaces [1, 2].

“The City of North Bay is launching a pilot project to convert four outdoor ice rinks into seasonal off-leash dog zones”

The use of a pilot program allows the City of North Bay to gather empirical data on pet owner behavior and site demand without the high capital cost of permanent construction. By converting seasonal rinks, the city maximizes the utility of public land throughout the year while testing whether decentralized, smaller zones are more effective than a single large facility like Bruman Dog Park.