Off-leash dog trails at Killarney Lake Park to become permanent for half of every year

Drew Prudhomme is looking forward to having long training sessions with his dog Kylo on Fredericton's off-leash trails.

Prudhomme says he is excited about the city's recent announcement that dog owners will get permanent off-leash access to just over six kilometres of trails at Killarney Lake Park from May to November every year.

"It makes it significantly easier to get big exercise weekends," said Prudhomme, who describes Kylo as half Australian shepherd and half poodle.

Last spring, Fredericton council turned about four kilometres of the park's trails into an off-leash zone for a five-month pilot project.

The positive public response public has led council to consider making seasonal access a permanent offering at the park, according to a city news release.

The zone will also be extended by just over two kilometres, closer to the parking lot.

The off-leash zone will not be available during the winter months because of activities such as cross-country skiing, David Seabrook, the director of recreation, tourism and culture for the city, in a previous CBC interview, has said.

"The Fredericton trails are great but very busy," Prudhomme said. "So having these trails be off-leash with the amount of extra space it provides, it's just really good for tiring them out and, like, big long walks too."

Every dog Prudhomme came across last season was well-trained and listened to their owners, which made Kylo's off-leash experience pleasant, he said.

"Everyone's pretty responsible," Prudhomme said. "People who know their dog shouldn't be off-leash normally have their dogs leashed."

Resident Leah Thompson said she trusts dog owners to be responsible around the off-leash trails.

She said the city's decision will help dogs have more freedom and happiness.

"That's a very positive thing … and dogs deserve to be happy."

City staff will present the amended bylaw to council for a vote at a regular council meeting in 2026.