Off-leash dogs in Redding parks: What are the rules? Ask the Record Searchlight.

Redding Record Searchlight

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Where in Redding can dogs go off leash?

Q. At which Redding parks are dogs allowed off leash?

Dogs are allowed off-leash in posted areas of Redding's open spaces, including the Nur Pon Open Space along the Sacramento River.

A. Right now, there are two official off-leash dog areas and one dog park in Redding.

More locations are on the way.

The recently renamed and reopened Nur Pon Open Space is the newest area where off-leash dogs and their people can exercise and socialize. Nur Pon is located on the Sacramento River, at 2502 Henderson Road in Redding, just south of the Cypress Avenue Bridge. Bikes are not permitted there.

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"I would say this spot is super popular. I come out here pretty regularly and I see a lot of the same users," said Travis Menne, community project manager. "Dog owners and dog walkers are a dedicated group."

Turtle Bay East Open Space at 1601 Bechelli Lane also allows dogs to be off leash.

So does Benton Airport Dog Park, 1700 Air Park Dr., where areas are reserved for large and small animals. The park features over two acres of tree-dotted, fenced property and includes a separate fenced area for smaller dogs, drinking water and numerous seating areas for the dogs' people friends.

Menne said future dog parks are planned for Panorama Park on Lake Boulevard and Shastina Ranch in southeast Redding.

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In addition, dogs are allowed off-leash in posted areas including Kapusta Open Space and Riverland Drive Open Space Area.

With all the development happening in downtown Redding, Menne said, dog owners are requesting more outlets for their animals. "There's not a lot of green space, so they need to have a place to go take their dogs to kind of run and do dog stuff," said Menne.

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Here are etiquette rules for visits when taking your pet to off-leash areas and dog parks, according to the city's website:

keep dogs under control at all times
bring immunized dogs only
ensure your dog is healthy
clean up after your dog and have your own disposal bags, just in case
be responsible for your dog's behavior
follow posted rules
don't bring children to a dog park
don't bring female dogs who are in heat
don't bring animals that are not dogs to a dog park

For more information regarding dogs running at large within a designated dog park or off-leash area, please refer to https://library.municode.com/ca/redding/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT7AN. And here's a map of the areas.

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Michele Chandler covers criminal justice issues for the Redding Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. Follow her on Twitter at @MChandler_RS, call her at 530-338-7753 or email her at michele.chandler@redding.com. Please support our entire newsroom's commitment to public service journalism by subscribing today.