A "leash-cutting" ceremony marked the grand opening of the Park 'n' Bark off-leash dog park in north Lethbridge, October 13, 2022. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Park ‘n’ Bark off-leash dog park opens in north Lethbridge

Oct 13, 2022 | 11:23 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Dogs now have a new place to run freely in Lethbridge.

A new off-leash dog park named “Park ‘n’ Bark” has opened next to the intersection of Stafford Drive North and Scenic Drive North.

The 2.2-hectare park is fully enclosed with chain-link fences and includes over 600 metres of pathways. There are separate areas for smaller dogs and dog training.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen brought his two dogs to the “leash cutting” ceremony on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

He says Lethbridge has the second highest amount of dog park space per capita in Canada, behind only Calgary.

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“It’s something that we’ve heard so much as councillors, and especially during the [2021 municipal election] campaign is, can we get more dog parks,” says Hyggen. “It’s amazing how well they’re used. I know we attend one that’s on the south side quite often and even finding parking sometimes is a struggle because they’re so well used.”

Park ‘n’ Bark was chosen as the dog park’s name following a community-wide contest.

Parks and Cemeteries General Manager Blair Richter says approximately 150 names were submitted. The winning entry was sent in by Angela Maio.

Richter explains that Park ‘n’ Bark was selected because it is fun, easily recognizable as being a dog park, and rolls off of the tongue.

He says dogs can look forward to more additions in the coming weeks as agility toys and shade structures will be installed later this fall.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now