The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is exploring a temporary, fenced Dogs Off-Leash Area (DOLA). This project will help PARD to understand the benefits and drawbacks of a DOLA within identified parks. PARD monitors the use of this DOLA and collects community feedback. City Council Districts 5

  • Update: Little Zilker DOLA Pilot ended Friday, December 6. Visitors to all areas of the park are required to have dogs on a leash per city code. 

Background

By City Code, it is illegal to have dogs off-leash in public unless in a designated off-leash area. Dog Off-Leash Areas (DOLAs) provide safe spaces for dogs to play and run free. Fenced DOLAs can help to reduce conflicts between dogs and other park users. The park pilots below are locations without a designated DOLAS but have been frequently used by owners as off-leash areas.

Project Description

Due to the high rates of non-compliance with the leash ordinance and conflicts with other park users at these locations, the Parks and Recreation Department identified the Little Zilker Park area for a temporary DOLA. 

Objectives

The overall objective is provide space for dog owners to take their pets to be off-leash that does not create additional conflict with other park users. Additional objectives include: 

  • Reduce the frequency of off-leash dogs in the park outside of the designated area;
  • Reduce conflicts between park users and off-leash dogs;
  • Encourage compliance with city ordinance; and
  • Explore community sentiment of the off-leash area in the park.

Since this pilot project was temporary, dog owners should be aware that water will not be available, owners are still expected to clean any dog waste for the health of the community, and any off-leash dogs outside of the designated area violates city ordinance.

Little Zilker Neighborhood Park Off-Leash Area

Overhead image of Little Zilker Park showing outline of Pilot Off-Leash area near tennis courts within walking trail

The Pilot DOLA at Little Zilker Neighborhood Park was the first off-leash area to be considered in a neighborhood park. The Pilot Program ran from October 2023 to December 2024. The Parks and Recreation Department is currently reviewing the comments received to make a decision about moving forward.

Location Selection

The Parks and Recreation Department considered possible locations in the park. However, the location selected was determined to be the least impactful on current park uses with minimal ecological impact.

Review the location options here (PDF, 4.8MB).

Anticipated Schedule

  • Fall 2023: Install temporary DOLA and open community survey
  • December 2024: Remove temporary DOLA and close community survey
  • Winter 2024: Publish monitoring and survey results

Community Engagement

Community members around Little Zilker Neighborhood Park are invited to share their feedback and thoughts about the pilot DOLA:

Community Survey (closed December 10, 2024)

You can also report any dogs off-leash to Austin 311.

Results of the pilot project will be shared publicly. Future decisions about a dog off-leash area will consider this input before taking additional steps.

Funding and Resources

This pilot project will be funded by the Parks and Recreation Department Director's Office.

Funding and Resources

The pilot project is funded by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Contact Information

For more information, please email dola@austintexas.gov.