Shubie Park’s off-leash dog park is at risk of permanent closure. 
A handful of people shouldn’t decide the future of our beloved dog park.

A small number of nearby residents have taken legal action to close the Sunrise Beach area to dogs and permanently prohibit off-leash access at Shubie Park. This legal challenge follows repeated attempts to restrict or eliminate off-leash access at Shubie, despite the park’s history of responsible community use.

For years, Shubie Park has been a safe, well-loved space where our dogs can exercise freely and responsibly, and where residents (and visitors) gather, connect, and enjoy the outdoors. It's not just a dog park...it is a vital community resource.

Off-leash spaces like Shubie are rare, especially in growing cities where many people lack private yards. For seniors, people with mobility limitations, apartment dwellers, and responsible dog owners, Shubie Park provides one of the only accessible places for dogs to run, socialize, and stay healthy.

Closing this space would not solve concerns, it would displace them. Removing a designated off-leash area pushes dogs into less suitable spaces and undermines years of responsible use, stewardship, and community cooperation.

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Halifax (HRM) has long been recognized as a dog-friendly city, and Shubie Park reflects that commitment. Rather than eliminating this cherished space, the municipality should explore reasonable alternatives - thoughtful adjustments and collaborative solutions that balance neighborhood concerns with responsible off-leash access.

We’re asking municipal leaders to reject the injunction and work toward solutions that reflect the needs of the broader community.

If you value Shubie Park, responsible dog ownership, and shared public spaces, please add your name.

Sign this petition to help keep Shubie Park’s off-leash dog areas open.

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