BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend has a reputation for making lists for its love of dogs; however, one of the most common complaints and pleas for help from community members relates to off-leash dogs.
Bend Park and Recreation District and City of Bend Police Department are reminding pet owners about leash requirements and the safety benefits of keeping dogs on leash. BPRD’s park stewards will partner with Community Service Officers from Bend Police by visiting several parks and trails next week to talk with dog handlers about expectations and park rules.
From Monday, May 12 to Friday, May 16, community members will see extra patrols by staff of both organizations, seeking voluntary compliance and providing reminders to anyone observed with a dog off leash about possible consequences of violations.
Dogs are required by city ordinance to be on leash in any public area in the city of Bend, except in designated off-leash areas.
The engagement campaign aims to inform community members about the possible enforcement actions that can include a 30-day exclusion from park district property and/or a $250 fine and being held responsible for a dog’s actions in civil or criminal cases.
“For people who are afraid or uncomfortable around dogs, an encounter with an off-leash dog can be very negative and at times dangerous,” said Joel Lee, BPRD park stewardship manager. “People in Bend love their dogs, but it’s important that the parks are safe for all to enjoy, so please leash your four-legged friends unless in a designated off-leash area.”
The park steward team keeps data related to their patrols and contacts in parks and facilities throughout the year. For 2024, they observed 11,015 dogs on leash and 2,746 dogs off leash, which equates to approximately 75 percent compliance. According to Lee, compliance varies seasonally as well as across parks and trails with complaints increasing in neighborhood parks across the community.
Bend Police received 95 dog complaints regarding incidents on park properties in 2024, and 42 calls so far in 2025. The Bend Police Department maintains a dashboard allowing the public to see police calls for service in public parks. You can access it at https://policedata.bendoregon.gov/pages/parks-incidents.
“We need our community to work together and for everyone to follow park rules,” said Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller. “We are lucky to have lots of beautiful options in Bend where our dogs can safely be off leash.”
Leash rules also apply while walking to a dog park from the entrance or a parking lot. Unleashed dogs running from a vehicle can create safety concerns for the dog as well as for others, especially in busy parks such as Ponderosa, Big Sky and Pine Nursery parks.
Additionally, dog owners are to clean up after their dog. To help out, dog waste bags and trash receptacles are available at many Bend parks and trails.
BPRD has nine dog off-leash areas in local parks, including:
- Alpenglow Community Park (61049 SE 15th St.) 3.9 acres, fenced with small dog area and agility amenities.
- Big Sky Park (21690 Neff Rd) 5 acres, fenced.
- Discovery Park (1315 NW Discovery Park Drive) 1.6 acres, fenced.
- Riverbend Park (799 SW Columbia St) 1.1 acres, fenced with river access and small dog area.
- Ponderosa Park (225 SE 15th St) 2.9 acres, fenced with small dog area.
- Bob Wenger Memorial Off-Leash Area at Pine Nursery Park (NE Purcell Rd) 18.8 acres, fenced with seasonal splash pad and small dog park.
- Hollinshead Park (1235 NE Jones Rd) 3.7 acres, unfenced.
- Overturf Butte Reservoir (Skyliner Summit Loop) 4.6 acres, fenced.
- Awbrey Reservoir (NW 10th and Trenton) 5 acres, partially fenced (not fully enclosed). Note: acreage is approximate.
Off-leash area etiquette includes only visiting with vaccinated, non-aggressive pets. Also, please don’t allow children to ride bikes or play on agility course equipment located in the dog parks.
Learn more on BPRD's Dogs in Parks webpage.
