Clovis is becoming more friendly to families with dogs. Here’s how
Starting in May, dogs will be allowed to roam off-leash and enjoy quality play and socialization time in designated areas in Clovis.
With the completion of two permanent dog parks, Clovis is close to fulfilling its Dog Park Master Plan developed in October 2019. An ordinance presented to the Clovis City Council this week will allow dogs to run off-leash in the city’s dog parks.
Many Clovis residents with four-legged friends have long wanted the city to prioritize building dog parks and dog-friendly spaces.
As a result, Clovis opened a temporary dog park at Sierra Bicentennial in October 2018, and put together a plan a year later identifying three possible sites to construct dog parks.
In the last year, the city has built two permanent dog parks, according to the staff presentation to the council on Monday evening. The first one was an expansion of the temporary Sierra Bicentennial dog park, adding extra fencing, gates, concrete sidewalks, benches and shade structures. The second site is located at Letterman Park and features drive gates, water fountains, dog trash bag dispensers and decomposed granite.
The city plans to build a third dog park, which will be located at Pasa Tiempo Park, in the future, said Nick Torstensen, a supervising civil engineer for Clovis.
Under the current city code, dogs entering a park must be on a leash no longer than six feet in length, except at the previous temporary dog park, Sierra Bicentennial. Dogs and their owners must follow a set of rules passed by the council in 2018.
The new ordinance defines the two permanent dog parks as “off-leash areas.” Some of the city’s dog park rules include:
Dogs must be in charge, care, custody, or control of a person at least 16 years old.
A maximum of two dogs are allowed per person at one time.
Dogs must be at least four months old, healthy, display no aggressive behavior toward other dogs and humans, be vaccinated for rabies, and be currently licensed by the city or other jurisdiction.
Dog guardians should carry at all times a suitable container or instrument for the removal of dog feces.
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
