Off-Leash Parks

Oshawa's two off-leash dog parks are places where dogs can run free and owners can enjoy outdoor exercise with their pets, friends and family.

Clare Ford off-leash dog park (formerly Harmony Valley Park off-leash dog park)

Formerly known as the Harmony Valley off-leash dog park this area was renamed in honour of Clare Ford by Oshawa City Council in June 2025.

The City of Oshawa is proud to dedicate the Harmony Valley off-leash dog park as the Clare Ford off-leash dog park in recognition of Clare Ford’s outstanding service to our community.

Clare Ford was a founding force and long-time leader of the Oshawa Durham Area Dog Walkers Group (ODAWG). Through her leadership, she played a central role in developing, stewarding, and advocating for the Harmony Valley off-leash area. Her tireless volunteer efforts helped ensure the park remained a safe, accessible, and welcoming space for residents and their dogs.

This dedication ensures that Clare’s vision and contributions will be remembered for generations. Her legacy continues in every walk, every game of fetch, and every friendship made in this park.

Harmony Valley Park contains a 10 hectare off-leash area (Clare Ford off-leash dog park). The broader park and open space area offers over 60 hectares of passive recreational opportunities, featuring unique natural landscapes and a trail network. 

Park rules

Harmony Valley Park is a multi-use park open to anyone who wants to enjoy it. Please remember the following rules when you visit with your dog.

1. Be courteous and respect the rights of all users and remember that the park is for everyone.
2. Please stoop and scoop as per the Responsible Pet Owner's By-law.
3. Please dispose of the bags in the nearest litter container or at your household.
4. Please leash your dog when entering or leaving the off-leash area.
5. Respect the on and off-leash boundaries.
6. Dogs must be in view of their owners and under voice control. To ensure dogs are under control, there is a four dog max per walker.
7. Make sure your dog has a current pet licence.
   
8. Dogs should be vaccinated (puppies must have 12 week shots).
9. Parents, keep a watchful eye on your children.
10. Respect wildlife and vegetation
11. Please remove prong collars in the leash-free areas (choke collars not advised).
12. Don't litter.
13. Dogs in heat, sick dogs and aggressive dogs are not to use the park.

Respect the on and off-leash boundaries

Pet owners are responsible for ensuring their dogs do not run at large. A dog running at large is an unleashed dog off its owner's property. This means it is not under the physical control of someone.

There are both on and off-leash areas within Harmony Valley Park. Please follow the signage. Remember that only the trails in the southern part of the park are off-leash. Outside of this area, dogs are to be on a leash.

Have a leash in your hand and use it when entering and exiting the park. Dogs should never be loose in the parking lot.

Care and maintenance

This park is within a natural environment. This means the trails are not paved and not maintained. Therefore, they can be steep and slippery.

Oshawa Durham Area Walkers Group (O.D.A.W.G.) are the stewards of the on and off-leash areas within Harmony Valley Park. Volunteers from O.D.A.W.G. watch the use of the park and provide ongoing education and awareness of responsible dog ownership. They also run fundraisers for park improvements. Voluntary annual membership fees and an annual O.D.A.W.G. calendar help to support park improvements.

Natural environment

While visiting the park respect wildlife and vegetation. Stay on designated trails. This is a natural environment. We need to protect wildlife habitats, rare plants and tree species.

Owners and their dogs should stay on designated trails. Owners should avoid walking through naturalized areas. The best way to prevent contact with invasive species is to become familiar with their appearance. This will help ensure that you, your children and your pets avoid the plants.

Cordova Valley Park: off-leash area

The Cordova Valley Park off-leash area is 0.29 hectares in total size and fully enclosed. There is a separate enclosed area for small or vulnerable dogs. The off-leash area features a mix of mulch and grass surfacing.

Off-leash area rules of use

1. Use the Park at your own risk.
2. No winter maintenance.
3. Owners are legally responsible for the behaviour of their dog(s) at all times.
4. Dogs must be in view of their owners at all times and under voice control.
5. Only four (4) dogs allowed per person.
6. Stoop and scoop is mandatory (By-law 14-2010) and use the waste cans provided.
7. Respect the rights of all park users.
8. Dogs must be leashed when entering or leaving the leash free area.
9. Dogs must be licensed and fully vaccinated.
10. Children must be supervised at all times.
11. If a dog digs a hole, the owner is responsible for filling it in prior to departure.
12. Dogs in heat, sick dogs, aggressive dogs and puppies under 4 months are prohibited in the Park.
13. Choke collars or collars with prongs are not allowed (By-law 14-2010).
14. Food, beverages and glass containers are prohibited inside the Park.
15. No smoking or vaping allowed inside the Park (Region of Durham By-law 028-2019).