Dog Parks and Dog Walks in Palmerston North
Dog exercise areas, off-leash walks and dog-friendly beaches around Palmerston North, with the council's rules for each.
In Palmerston North, dogs must be on a leash on streets, in the central city and in all parks, reserves and walkways, unless the place is a council dog exercise area. Memorial Park, the central Victoria Esplanade, sports fields and anywhere within 30 metres of a playground are off limits. Every place below shows its rule and how to get there.
Map of dog parks, walks and beaches
Every place on this page as a pin. Tap a pin for its dog rule, directions and our guide.
Dog parksWalksBeachesNo dogsHas our guideGroup, tap to zoom in
Dog parks (2)
Linklater Reserve
Off leash Fenced Agility Water Toilets DirectionsWalks and reserves (31)
Ahimate Reserve
Off leashOff leash throughout the reserve, which links to the Manawatū River Pathway. Leash your dog between the carpark and the reserve.
Directions Read the guideAshhurst Domain
Some rulesUpper circuit walkway is off leash; on leash in the campground; no dogs in the playground, sportsgrounds or wetlands
Directions Read the guideEdwards Pit Park
Off leash Directions Read the guideMangaone Stream Walkway
Some rulesOff leash except where it passes around the Awapuni Racecourse
Directions Read the guidePoutoa Walkway
Off leashGully walk in Poutoa Reserve
Directions Read the guideThe Ruamahanga Wilderness area
Off leash Directions Read the guideTitoki Walkway
Off leash Directions Read the guideBlue Range to Cow Creek Hut Track
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsBurn Hut Track
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsBurtton's Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsDundas Circuit
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsKiriwhakapapa to Blue Range Hut
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsLower Ruamahanga Track to Cow Creek Hut, via Cow Saddle
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsMangahao Makahika Track
On leashDOC: On a lead only.
DirectionsMangahao Track
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsRoaring Stag Hut to Cattle Ridge Track
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsRoaring Stag Track
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsSouth Ohau Hut via Waiopehu and Dora Ridge
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsWaiopehu Track (Poads Road to Waiopehu Hut)
Dogs allowedDOC: Allowed, under control.
DirectionsAshhurst Terrace Walkway
Off leash DirectionsAwatea Terrace Reserve
Off leash DirectionsDrainage Reserve area off Rugby Street
Off leash DirectionsDurham Street Reserve
Off leashListed in the bylaw as Durham Street Park
DirectionsFrederick Krull Reserve and Walkway
Off leashPart of the city's walkway network
DirectionsManawatū Riverside Walkway and Bridle Track
Some rulesOff leash except between the Fitzherbert Bridge and the Palmerston North Holiday Park, where dogs must be on a leash
DirectionsPari Reserve and Walkway
Off leashPreviously known as Mangaotane; walking track and pond
DirectionsRailway land (Pitt Street, Church Street, Pioneer Highway and Cook Street)
Off leashExcludes the skate park
DirectionsSchnell Wetland Walkway
Off leash DirectionsSummerhill Reserve
Off leash DirectionsTuritea Stream Esplanade Reserves (Green Corridors)
Off leash DirectionsUpper Celaeno Park
Off leashBetween Frederick Krull Reserve and Shakespeare Way
DirectionsNo dogs (23)
Manawatū Gorge Scenic Reserve
No dogsControlled under other legislation, not the dog bylaw
Directions Read the guideA Frame Hut & Takapari Road Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsAlice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
Directions Read the guideBallance Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsBeehive Creek Walkway
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsCoppermine Loop Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsCoppermine Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsKahikatea Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsKumeti Road end tramping tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsMaharahara Peak Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
Directions Read the guideManawatu Gorge Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsNo.1 Line tracks
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsPapaitonga Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsRokaiwhana Stream Walk
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsStanfield Hut to Cattle Creek Hut Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsTe Arapiki o Tawhaki
No dogsDOC: No dogs.
DirectionsWharite Peak Track
No dogsDOC: No dogs, except with a DOC hunting permit.
DirectionsCentral Energy Trust Arena Manawatū
No dogs DirectionsCentral Victoria Esplanade area
No dogsIncludes the children's playground and paddling pool, scenic railway station, Peter Black Conservatory, Wildbase Recovery Centre, aviary, Victoria House cafe and the Junior Road Safety Park
DirectionsMemorial Park
No dogs DirectionsPalmerston North Holiday Park
No dogsThe camping grounds
DirectionsThe Urban Eels platform
No dogs DirectionsTuritea Controlled Water Catchment Area
No dogsDogs only with a valid council hunting permit
DirectionsNo places match that search.
The rules at a glance
Off leashThe council's dog exercise areas, including Ahimate Dog Park and Ahimate Reserve, Linklater Reserve, most of the Manawatū Riverside Walkway, the Ashhurst Domain upper circuit, Edwards Pit Park, the Poutoa, Titoki and Pari walkways, and the Ruamahanga Wilderness area.
On a leashAll streets, roads and footpaths, the central city, and every park, reserve and walkway that is not a dog exercise area. Also the Manawatū River Shared Pathway between the Fitzherbert Bridge and the Holiday Park, and the Ashhurst Domain campground. Carry a leash at all times.
No dogsMemorial Park, the central Victoria Esplanade (playground, conservatory, aviary and Wildbase), the Palmerston North Holiday Park, Central Energy Trust Arena, sports fields, cemeteries, council pools and splashpads, the Turitea water catchment, and within 30 metres of any playground, play area, paddling pool or aviary.
Summer and seasonal rulesWalkway around the Awapuni Racecourse: no dogs every day from 4.30am to 10.30am, on a leash at other times.
Palmerston North City Council dog exercise areas
Dog services in Palmerston North
VetsCompanion Animal, Equine and On-Farm Care
Pet groomersSalon, Mobile and Rural Grooming
Dog trainersPositive Reinforcement Experts
Common questions
Is there a fenced dog park in Palmerston North?
Yes. The council lists two fenced dog parks with agility equipment: Ahimate Dog Park in Awapuni, which also has water, dog wash stations and a small dog area, and Linklater Reserve in Kelvin Grove, which has water, toilets and a 3 km path network.
Can I walk my dog on the Manawatū River pathway?
Yes. Dogs can be off leash along most of the Manawatū Riverside Walkway and Bridle Track, but must be on a leash between the Fitzherbert Bridge and the Palmerston North Holiday Park.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Palmerston North?
Yes, almost everywhere. Dogs must be on a leash on streets, in the central city and in parks and reserves. They can only be off leash in the council's dog exercise areas.
Sources: Palmerston North City Council; Department of Conservation (DOC). Rules change, so check the signs when you arrive. Checked October 2026.