Albion Fairgrounds Dog Off-Leash Area Improvements

Update January 2025 - Construction of the off-leash dog area improvements is now complete.

Update December 2024 - Tree planting was completed December 2-3 and the dog off-leash area is open to the public. Final pond planting will be completed this month to finish this project.

Update November 2024 - Park construction is near completion. Final tree and pond planting will take place in early December 2024.

Update May 2024 - Starting the week of May 6, 2024, visitors can expect to see construction activities within the Albion Fairgrounds dog off-leash area. This work will improve drainage and surfacing to help keep feet and paws dry. It will also include additional seating, with new benches for both the small and large dog areas. During this time the dog park will remain open, with minor disruptions.

This is a continuation of our improvements plan for the dog off-leash area, that included the installation of lighting in February 2024, dog cooling misting feature in May 2024, and will carry on into fall 2024 with planting shade trees.

The concept plan provided in 2023 has been updated to exclude the walking loop and agility features for the time being. Please take a moment to review the updated concept plan.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to complete these improvements.

Concept Plan Update 

Updated: December 2023 

Thank you to those who providing feedback on our concept plan through the September 2023 comment period.  

With this feedback we were able to make some minor adjustments to finalize the plan for the Albion Fairgrounds dog off-leash area improvements. 

The primary changes in this update include: 

• Added seating and shade trees in the small dog area 
• Addition of a misting station for dogs 
• Integration of agility features on the perimeter pathway 
• Relocated garbage receptacles away from seating areas 

Park users can expect to see the changes outlined in this plan throughout 2024. Once the work and scheduling has been finalized, we will provide notice of any service disruptions that may follow.  

Updated: August 30, 2023

The Maple Ridge Parks, Recreation & Culture department used the community feedback gathered during the first phase of engagement to develop a concept plan for the Albion Fairgrounds dog off-leash area improvements.

Please take a few minutes to review the concept plan for the improvements to this dog off leash area and share your thoughts through our comment form. We would like to receive your feedback by September 13, 2023.

This plan aims to create a more comfortable and safe experience by addressing poor site drainage and visibility.

To minimize water pooling, the drainage infrastructure will be upgraded to direct water out of the dog off-leash area to a rain garden. Site grading and gravel surfacing will also be installed to help to provide dogs and people firm dry ground to gather on near the existing seating area or walk along on the proposed perimeter walking loop. 

Additional lighting is being proposed to illuminate the park at night and during the dark fall and winter months. This will increase accessibility and safety. 

Park users can expect to see these changes throughout 2023 and 2024. Once the work and scheduling has been finalized, we will provide notice of any service disruptions that may follow. 

Community Consultation Results – What We Heard From You!

Thank you to all those who participated in our community consultation period. We heard a lot of great feedback, with the top five most requested improvements for the dog off-leash area being:

1. Improved drainage
2. Lighting
3. Trees for shade
4. Drinking water for dogs and people
5. Improved surfacing

With your input we will now move towards planning how best to deliver these improvements. Stay posted for an upcoming concept plan.

Community Consultation Period 

The City of Maple Ridge is planning improvements to the Albion Fairgrounds dog off-leash area and we would like to hear from you. 

Please join us at the Albion Fairgrounds dog-off leash area on Wednesday, July 20 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM where we will be available to discuss what changes you and your dog would like to see. 

We also encourage you to fill out a online comment form so that we can capture your feedback.

We would appreciate receiving your feedback by August 7, 2022.

Questions and comments can be directed to Melissa Coderre, Parks Planning Technician, at 604-467-7466 or by email to mcoderre@mapleridge.ca.

We look forward to hearing from you.