Friday January 30, 2026 | SAANICH, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
What the District of Saanich refers to as “a special place”, the Panama Flats will be still be protected from the impact of off-leash dogs.
This comes following the approval of an Updated Concept Plan for Panama Flats last fall, which provides Saanich with a path forward for how the Animals Bylaw will be implemented in that natural park area.
The decision was made at the January 26, 2026 council meeting, ultimately with a vote of 8–1 to ban off-leash access on all Panama Flats trails, with Mayor Dean Murdock casting the lone dissenting vote.
The Council decision seemed to be welcome by a majority of the speakers at a busy public input session.
Panama Flats was transformed from its natural state by a variety of agricultural activities over many decades. The District of Saanich purchased the Flats in 2011 in order to:
- Establish the site as public open space to provide flood plain management,
- Optimize environmental values,
- Create new park and trails,
- Enhance food security.
Keeping dogs leashed:
After consideration of the ‘leash optional’ and ‘on leash’ options presented by staff, Council decided at their January 26 council meeting that keeping dogs leashed in designated areas of Panama Flats.
That is considered to be the best way to allow for enjoyment of the park by dog owners and their pets while offering better protection for migratory and nesting birds.
This was also the most cost-effective option for the District, eliminating the need for fencing along the main trail, says the District of Saanich in a news release this week.
- The main trail between Hyacinth Park and Roy Road will be ‘on leash.’
- Other select trails, including on Panama Hill and a new neighbourhood connection link to Warren Avenue, will continue to welcome dogs on leash
- Dogs will be prohibited in the most sensitive areas of the park which are marked as a ‘disturbance-free zone’ in the updated concept plan.
- An enclosed area will be created in the north-west section of the park to accommodate off leash dogs pending a future budget request.
The changes will come into effect immediately after final reading at the next Council meeting on February 9.
Background on the Updated Concept Plan:
On October 20, 2025, Saanich Council approved a renewed vision for Panama Flats that reflects the community’s current uses and values.
The updated concept plan was produced after almost a year of engagement with residents and the community as well as recreation, environment and agriculture-related groups. Separate engagement was carried out with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council.
Allowing leashed dogs on trails in certain areas of the park is one of the plan’s offerings to support recreational enjoyment of the Flats. Other activities include cycling on the Colquitz River Trail, bird viewing areas and a social hub.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: PARKS & TRAILS | SAANICH | GREATER VICTORIA