Community Resources

All areas not posted otherwise require dogs to be on leash as part of city and county codes and leash laws. Dogs on city sidewalks must be leashed, as well as in all parks not expressly designated as off-leash areas. Within city limits, dogs must be licensed and up to date on rabies vaccinations. Dogs off leash and at large are subject to confiscation and impoundment and are available for redemption in accordance with local law.

Due to heavy use by the public plus safety and health concerns, there are several park areas where dogs and domestic animals are not allowed:

• Lake Padden Park and Bloedel Donovan Park swimming beach areas and any park land within fifteen (15) feet of the edge of Lake Padden or Lake Whatcom. The beach areas at each site are defined as:
  • Lake Padden: all land directly between the beach house parking lot sidewalk and the lake
  • Bloedel Donovan: all land bounded by the park/community building parking lot, boat launch, and the lake.
• All of Bloedel Donovan Park during the period of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend EXCEPT for off leash hours in the morning.
• Cornwall Park and Fairhaven Park wading pools. 
• Lower level of Boulevard Park west of the path along the parking lot including all grass areas and the path along the bay shoreline, path to craft studio and path near the playground equipment. Dogs ARE allowed on leash on the path next to the parking lot and to the water trestle along the trail to the south end of the park and to the overhead trestle and trail at the north end of the park.
• Big Rock Garden Park
• Spray Parks
• Within all park playground equipment areas
• Within all tennis courts
• The athletic field playing surfaces located at:
  • Frank Geri Fields (Civic Field Complex)
  • Downer Fields (Civic Field Complex)
  • Lake Padden Park Fields
  • Battersby Field
  • Inside fenced areas of Civic Field Stadium
  • Inside fenced areas of Joe Martin Field Stadium
• In the COUNTY, dogs are NOT permitted on trails or cross-country areas within the National Park or designated shellfish beds, in park buildings, at Canyon Lake Community Forest, Stimpson Family Nature Reserve and point Whitehorn Marine Reserve.

Horses are only allowed on paved roads open to motor vehicles OR designated bridle trails and parks as follows:

The owner or handler is responsible for cleaning up waste deposits left on park property and they are required to have in their possession the equipment to remove the fecal matter when accompanied by their horse on public property or public easement.

Bellingham:

Blaine:

Ferndale:

Lynden:

County:

When a dog is within a designated off-leash exercise and training area, it is the owner’s/handler’s option to keep the dog under control by means of a leash. When the dog is off-leash, the owner/handler must still keep the dog under voice or sound control and is therefore responsible for all action, behavior and clean up of the dog. NOTE: Dogs in heat MUST be restricted from off-leash areas, as well as dogs who exhibit aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs.

The owner or handler of any dog is to remove fecal matter deposited by their animal on public property or public easement before the owner leaves the immediate area where the fecal matter was deposited. The owner or handler of any dog must have in their possession the equipment necessary to remove their dog’s fecal matter when accompanied by said dog on public easement. Any violation of the provisions of the animal regulations is a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine.