Dog Park Tags

Dog Park Location: Leslie's Retreat Park on the North River, off Rt. 114/North Street.

A Pooch Pass is valid for one year from April 1st through March 31st.

To purchase:

1. Fill out the Pooch Pass Application.
2. Mail, email, or bring the application, a copy of municipal dog license, vaccination records, proof of spay/neuter, and a check out to City of Salem for $25.00 (in-person) or $26.00 (extra $1 for postage) to the Community Life Center at 401 Bridge St. Salem, MA 01970. Documents may also be scanned and emailed to Kathy McCarthy at kmccarthy@salem.com

Please read all the Dog Park Rules and Regulations prior to your first visit.

All proceeds are dedicated to maintaining and improving the Dog Park. The Dog Park was built by Salem Play Areas for Canine Exercise (SPACE), a 501(c)(3) non-profit group that continues to work to improve the park. Contributions to SPACE are tax-deductable and can be mailed to SPACE, P.O. Box 8875, Salem, MA 01970. Contact SPACE.

Leslie's Retreat Dog Park Rules and Regulations

The following rules are in accordance with the Ordinance pertaining to Dog Park Use Regulations as adopted by the City Council or the city of Salem.

Section I Chapter 26-101 Use Regulations of Chapter 26, Article IV, Dog Park Rules and Regulations: 

1. Dogs entering the park must be at least six months of age;
2. Dogs must be accompanied by a guardian at least 18 years of age;
3. Individuals between the ages of ten and 17 years must be accompanied by an adult, age 18 years or older;
4. Dogs must display a municipal dog license and current vaccination tag;
5. Dogs may be leash free once within the confines to the park's second gate;
6. Guardians must have voice control over their dogs at all times;
7. Guardians must immediately clean and properly dispose of waste;
8. Guardians must remain hands free for supervision and safety;
9. All dogs must be either spayed or neutered;
10. All dogs entering the park must display a dog park tag issued annually by
11. the director of park, recreation and community services or his or her
12. designee. Applicants for a dog park tag shall sign a waiver of liability and an agreement to abide by park rules and present proof of current spay/neuter and vaccination status and dog license for the dog prior to the issuance of a dog park tag. The director of park, recreation and community services, in concert with the animal control officer, shall determine the number of dog park tags to be issued each year; and
13. Owners are responsible and liable for the actions of their dogs.

Section II Chapter 26-10 Prohibitions of Chapter 26, Article IV, Dog Park Use Regulations: 

1. Guardians may not supervise more than three dogs at one time;
2. Dogs deemed dangerous pursuant to city ordinance Chapter 8, section 8-66 are prohibited;
3. Cigarette smoking within the enclosed park is prohibited;
4. Dogs displaying aggressive behavior may be immediately removed from the park by the animal control officer or his or her designee;
5. Children's toys and sporting equipment are prohibited within the fenced
6. area of the park; and
7. Due to health and safety concerns, children under the age of ten are
8. prohibited from within the fenced area of the park.

Section Ill Chapter 26-103 Penalties of Chapter 26, Article IV Dog Park Use Regulations: 

1. Whoever violates any provision of this article shall be subject to a fine of $25.00 for the first offense and $50.00 for any subsequent offense.
2. The animal control officer may revoke any existing dog park pass and/or prohibit future participation in the pass program for those who violate any provision of this article.

Section IV Chapter 26-0104, Article IV Dog Park Tag Fees: 

1. Dog park tags shall be issued at an annual fee of $25.00 per dog.
2. All fees received by the park, recreation and community services
3. department shall be deposited into a revolving fund account. Said receipts shall be expended solely for the administration, care and maintenance of the dog park at Leslie's Retreat Park. Each fiscal year, said receipts may be expended by the director of park, recreation and community services upon recommendation by the mayor and vote of the city council.

Section V. Chapter 26-105, Article IV Enforcement and Appeal

1. The animal control officer and the Salem Police Department shall have the authority to enforce this article. Notice of an enforcement action shall be delivered to the director of park, recreation and community services.
2. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the animal control officer may appeal to the chief of police or his designee.

Section VI

This Ordinance shall take effect as provided by the City Charter.