Be mindful of your dog at Vashon parks

King County Parks has seen an increase in reports of dogs roaming off-leash in sensitive areas on the island.

By Alex Bruell • September 13, 2023 1:30 am
This map from the Vashon and King County Parks Districts, as well as the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust, shows where dog owners can and can’t take their canines (Courtesy Photo).
This map from the Vashon and King County Parks Districts, as well as the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust, shows where dog owners can and can’t take their canines (Courtesy Photo).

The King County parks department has seen an increase in reports of dogs roaming off-leash in sensitive areas on parks and public lands on the island, and released a statement recently asking dog owners to keep their pups under control.

Three properties don’t allow dogs at all in order to protect sensitive wildlife. Dogs could catch, disturb, deter or hurt birds that depend on those spaces, especially water birds that traditionally nest there. Those properties are:

  • Christiansen Pond Natural Area
  • Fern Cove
  • Fisher Pond Reserve
  • Many parks allow dogs if they’re leashed, including:
  • Agren Park
  • Dockton Park
  • Frog Holler Forest
  • Island Center Forest
  • Judd Creek Preserve
  • Maury Island Marine Park
  • Ober Park
  • Paradise Ridge Park
  • Shinglemill Creek
  • Ves Fields
  • Village Green

Several park locations allow off-leash dogs as long as they are under the owner’s voice control 100% of the time. Those include:

  • Burton Acres
  • Burton Adventure Recreation Center
  • Jensen Point
  • Lisabuela Park
  • Point Robinson
  • Wingehaven Park

Dogs must remain leashed at all parks and open spaces managed by King County Parks throughout the county, except for the expansive off-leash dog area at Marymoor Park, according to the parks department.