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Park and Facility Rules

Rules

Report park maintenance or safety concerns by calling 541-736-4104.

Please help Willamalane keep parks safe, clean, and green by following all the park rules. See Ordinance 100 for all rules. 

To see all facility rules, please view this document. 

Prohibited Activity

  • Smoking of tobacco, e-cigarettes, marijuana, or any other smoking device.
  • Hunting, loaded or unloaded firearms*, weapons, and fireworks.
  • Maintaining open flames or campfires, except in designated fire pits or barbeques.
  • Possessing alcoholic beverages, except by permit.
  • Camping.
  • Bathing.
  • Using sound-amplifying devices, except by permit.
  • Parking vehicles outside of designated spaces.
  • Riding or walking horses and livestock, except in designated areas.
  • Removing, displacing, or defacing any vegetable, mineral, or other naturally occurring physical substance.

* Does not apply to currently registered Concealed Handgun License holders; see Ordinance 100 for specifics

Animals and Wildlife

  • Do not feed or harass wildlife.
  • Dogs must be kept on a leash, except in designated off-leash areas.
  • Horses must be kept in designated areas.

Leashing Dogs

Dogs are welcome in Willamalane parks, trails, and natural areas. However, to ensure safety for everyone, you need to keep your dog on a leash. There are a few reasons why:

  1. It protects the wildlife. Even the best-behaved dogs might chase squirrels, birds, and other creatures.
  2. It keeps kids safe. Your dog may have restraint, but children may be unpredictable.
  3. It is respectful to others on the trail. Those with dog allergies, or those who are not dog lovers, may not appreciate a visit from an unfamiliar dog.
  4. It will help you avoid poison oak and tick bites. If your dog starts sniffing around the wrong plants, it could lead to an itchy situation.
  5. It’s the law. Willamalane and the City of Springfield have ordinances requiring dogs to be kept on leash.

That’s why we’re asking you to Love ’em and Leash ’em. Keeping dogs on a leash helps mitigate some of the unpredictable situations in parks, trails, and natural areas. Below are laws and ordinances that outline district, city, and county expectations. We’re grateful for your help in keeping parks safe and fun — for your dog, and for everyone else!

Want to let your dog play off-leash? Visit the dog park at Lively Park, a four-acre dog park with separate play areas for large, medium, and small dogs. It’s a great place to play! 

Service Animals

A service animal must be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.

More Local Leash Laws and Ordinances

Special Activities

Drones and Remote-Controlled Aircraft

Operation of remote-controlled vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones) is prohibited within the following parks and natural areas unless approved by the executive director.

In any other park or natural area, users must operate any unmanned aerial vehicle, whether for recreational or commercial purposes, consistent with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

Metal Detecting

Metal detecting is allowed in many district parks with a permit issued by Willamalane Park and Recreation District Park Services. Permits are free and valid for one year from the date of issue. To start the permitting process, complete this PDF form and email it to the Planning, Parks, and Facilities Division at mk.britton@willamalane.org.