When people are choosing a place to live, they aren’t just looking at schools or playgrounds; they’re also looking for pet-friendly spaces. Whether urban or suburban, the Edmonton region offers a strong quality of life, shaped in part by how well communities accommodate pets.

Home is Where the Dog Is

As Edmonton’s dog population has grown, so has the need for a more intentional approach to shared outdoor space.

In 2016, the City of Edmonton introduced the Dogs in Open Spaces Strategy, a framework designed to balance the needs of dog owners, non-pet owners, and the broader park system. Since its implementation, off-leash spaces across the city have reflected a shift in how Edmonton thinks about dogs in public space: as a permanent and planned part of urban life.

As of 2026, the Edmonton region has 14 official dog parks, 50 designated off-leash areas, and 22 temporary dog parks. But, with just four official dog parks downtown, the City saw an opportunity to create something bigger and better for residents and workers and their pets.

O-day’min Park was designed as a flagship downtown green space with a central, purpose-built off-leash area. “We treated the off-leash areas as a primary program element rather than a secondary one,” said Matt Sloan, Senior Landscape Architect for Open Spaces Planning and Design with the City of Edmonton.

From lighting to strategic tree positioning, the park’s thoughtful design elements help meet the needs of a growing downtown community, all while remaining inclusive.

Rethinking Community Design

Planning is often described as human-centred, but in a city with more than 20,000 pets, the definition of “family” is evolving.

The Parks, a Maclab Development Group project that opened its doors in April of 2025, did exactly that. “When we first started planning The Parks, around 2018, pet amenities weren’t even on the priority list. Now, they’re a requirement,” said President and CEO Bill Blais. “Today, if you don’t provide meaningful amenities for pets, you risk losing renters.”

Currently home to over 50 pets, the 36-storey tower is equipped for animals of any age, breed, or size, with features like wash stations and indoor play areas.

By incorporating elements like lighting, waste management, odour control, acoustic panels, and seating areas for owners, The Parks has become not just a social space, but also a functional one.

Finding Room to Run

Similarly, Mike Kohl, Senior Vice President of Communities at Brookfield Residential, saw an opportunity to improve livability by providing space to encourage physical activity, social connection, and well-being through Paisley Dog Park and The Orchards Dog Park. “In Edmonton, we’re seeing a growing demographic of residents who have or want pets,” he said.

No matter the location, the demand for pet-friendly amenities is clear. By reallocating space and focusing on what residents may value, communities can create places that are not only livable but are desirable.

Part of the Family, Part of the City

In Edmonton, planning for dogs is ultimately about planning for people. By recognizing pets as part of the family and designing our communities around this, we’re creating places where residents can put down roots and build lasting connections. A city that works for its four-legged residents is often one that works better for everyone.