Each of these sits on a council page that classes the area as fenced, quoted below with a link to the page the wording came from. A gate can still be propped open and a fence can still have a gap in it, so walk in on the lead and look before you unclip.
The council describes a fence around part of the area, not around all of it. The quote below is what it actually says, and where the fenced part starts and stops is the bit to read on the sign at the gate.
We hold no fencing statement at all for these, so treat them as open ground. Not stated is not the same as not fenced, and we are not going to guess which one it is.
Ashhurst Domain (Upper Circuit)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the council54+ hectares beside the Manawatu River. Off-leash applies to the Upper Circuit only. Pet-friendly campground (on-leash), BBQs, picnic…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas): 'The Upper Circuit of the Ashhurst Domain, except for those parts of the walkway…
Source: pncc.govt.nzAwatea Terrace Reserve (Awatea Reserve)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilGreen space planted with rhododendrons, with a waterway running through it; strong seasonal colour. Picnic tables, seating, walkway…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Awatea Terrace Reserve'. Council park page is tagged 'Dog exercise areas'…
Source: pncc.govt.nzDurham Street Reserve (Durham Street Park)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilOpen reserve shared with horse riders. Views. Council describes it as a place to walk the dog, ride your horse, or run around with the kids.
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Durham Street Park'. Council park page states: 'Durham Street Reserve is a…
Source: pncc.govt.nzEdwards Pit Park
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilRestored historic clay quarry; short tracks wind through native wetland then open into a large meadow. Outdoor gym, picnic tables…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Edwards Pit Park'. Council park page: 'This park is a brilliant place to…
Source: pncc.govt.nzFeilding CBD (mapped on-leash streets)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilTown-centre on-leash zone covering Aorangi, Bowen, Manchester, Stafford, Fergusson, Goodbehere and MacArthur Streets, Manchester Square…
Council: 'The Feilding CBD as described below and as mapped in Schedule 3 of the Dog Control Bylaw', followed by 'Except that during…
Source: mdc.govt.nzFrederick Krull Reserve and Walkway
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilDog-friendly reserve forming one of the entrances to the scenic Frederick Krull Walkway; part of the city's walkway network. Picnic…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Frederick Krull Reserve and Walkway'. Council park page: 'The reserve and…
Source: pncc.govt.nzJames Palmer Park
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilEntire park is a designated Dog Exercise Area - one of the few MDC areas off-leash with no internal exclusions.
Council: 'James Palmer Park - the entire park'. Bylaw Schedule 2 identical. The council page and bylaw make no statement about fencing, so…
Source: mdc.govt.nzJohnston Park
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilDesignated Dog on Leash Area except the playing fields, which are dog-prohibited. (The council web page spells this 'Johnson Park'; the…
Bylaw Schedule 3: 'Johnston Park - except the playing fields'; council page lists 'Johnson Park - except the playing fields'. Schedule 1…
Source: mdc.govt.nzKitchener Park
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilEntire reserve is a designated Dog on Leash Area. Remnant native bush reserve (kahikatea forest) - dogs must stay leashed throughout.
Council 'Dogs On Leash Areas': 'Kitchener Park - entire reserve'. Bylaw Schedule 3 identical; council GIS records 'Dog on Leash Area'…
Source: mdc.govt.nzKowhai Park (Dog Exercise Area portion)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilOnly the mapped Dog Exercise Area portion is off-leash. A separate mapped access route is on-leash, and the rest of the park is…
Council: 'Kowhai Park - only the part that is identified as a Dog Exercise Area in Schedule 1.' Schedule 1 prohibits 'Kowhai Park - the…
Source: mdc.govt.nzKowhai Park (on-leash access route)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilOnly the mapped access route through Kowhai Park is on-leash permitted; it links to the separate off-leash Dog Exercise Area. The…
Council: 'Kowhai Park - only the access route that is mapped as a Dog on Leash Area in Schedule 1 of the Dog Control Bylaw.' No fencing…
Source: mdc.govt.nzManfeild Park
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilOff-leash across the whole park EXCEPT the racing area and stables (bylaw wording excepts the playground), and NOT when the park is…
Council: 'Manfeild Park - whole park except racing area and stables, but not when the park is being used for an organised event.' Bylaw…
Source: mdc.govt.nzMangaore Village Reserve
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilReserve along Blackwood Drive made up of multiple land parcels: community hall, toilets and picnic tables at the base of the hill, a…
Dog Control Bylaw 2025 Schedule 2, Mangaore row, Unleashed column: "Mangaore Village Reserve" (mirrored on the council's Exercising your…
Source: horowhenua.govt.nzMenzies Ford Reserve
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilEntire reserve is off-leash. River ford reserve with open river access.
Council: 'Menzies Ford Reserve - entire reserve'. Bylaw Schedule 2 identical; council GIS records 'Dog Exercise Area', comment 'Entire…
Source: mdc.govt.nzMoynihan Park
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilLocal sportsground a few minutes from central Shannon; grassed sports area, shade areas, toilets. Off-leash only when no sport is on…
Dog Control Bylaw 2025 Schedule 2, Shannon row, Unleashed column: "Moynihan Park when not being used for sporting or other community uses".
Source: horowhenua.govt.nzMt Stewart Reserve
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilEntire reserve is off-leash. Elevated roadside reserve/lookout with memorial and views over the Manawatu plains.
Council: 'Mt Stewart Reserve - entire reserve'. Bylaw Schedule 2 identical; council GIS records it as 'Dog Exercise Area', comment 'Entire…
Source: mdc.govt.nzPari Reserve and Walkway (previously Mangaotane)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilPond, wetlands and a short walking track off Aokautere Drive; also functions as stormwater management land. Seating, walkway, bush. NOTE…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Pari Reserve and Walkway (previously known as Mangaotane)'. Council park…
Source: pncc.govt.nzPohangina Valley Road Lookout
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilEntire reserve is off-leash. Roadside lookout/viewpoint reserve in the Pohangina Valley.
Council: 'Pohangina Valley Road Lookout - entire reserve'. Bylaw Schedule 2 identical; GIS comment 'Entire Area'. No fencing statement by…
Source: mdc.govt.nzPoutoa Reserve and Poutoa Walkway
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilGully reserve off Summerhill Drive with many walkway entrances; links to Titoki Walkway and forms part of the Green Corridors network…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Poutoa Walkway'. Council park page: 'This is a dog exercise area, where you…
Source: pncc.govt.nzRailway land (Feilding railway corridor)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilLinear corridor off-leash area running along both sides of the railway through Feilding. Active rail corridor - not an enclosed park.
Council: 'Railway land - along both sides of the railway corridor through Feilding'. Bylaw Schedule 2 identical. No fencing statement on…
Source: mdc.govt.nzRailway Land Reserve
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilCentral-city reserve on former railway land, bounded by Pitt, Church, Pioneer Highway and Cook Streets. Home to Palmy's skate park…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas): "'Railway' land, bounded by Pitt Street, Church Street, Pioneer Highway, and Cook…
Source: pncc.govt.nzRimu Park
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilEntire park is a designated Dog Exercise Area with no stated internal exclusions.
Council: 'Rimu Park - the entire park'. Bylaw Schedule 2 identical; council GIS layer records it as 'Dog Exercise Area', comment 'Entire…
Source: mdc.govt.nzRuamahanga Wilderness Reserve
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilOpen space with Manawatu River access. Drinking fountain, toilets, walkway. NOTE: Council posts river safety warnings for this site.
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'The Ruamahanga Wilderness area'. Council park page: 'A great open space to…
Source: pncc.govt.nzSummerhill Reserve
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilLinks into the wider Palmerston North walkway system. Seating, walkway, views. On Summerhill Drive.
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Summerhill Reserve'. Council park page is tagged 'Dog exercise areas' and…
Source: pncc.govt.nzTimona Park
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilThe children's playground and playing fields are dog-prohibited. Oroua River frontage.
Council lists under 'Dogs Off Leash Areas': 'Timona Park - along the riverbank and the edges of the park'. Dog Control Bylaw 2019 Schedule…
Source: mdc.govt.nzTitoki Reserve and Titoki Walkway
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilRuns through one of the main Summerhill gullies; part of the city walkway system and the Green Corridors network, revegetated with…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Titoki Walkway'. Council park page is tagged 'Dog exercise areas' and its…
Source: pncc.govt.nzTokomaru Domain
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilLarge open grassed area with small hall and public toilet. Off-leash ONLY when the domain is not in use for sport or community events -…
Dog Control Bylaw 2025 Schedule 2, Tokomaru row, Unleashed column: "Tokomaru Domain when not being used for sporting or other community…
Source: horowhenua.govt.nzTokomaru Hall Reserve
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilCommunity hall run by the Tokomaru Hall Society, car park and large open field. Off-leash except during sporting/community events.
Council park page: "Dogs allowed unleashed, except when the Domain is being used for a sporting or community event." FENCING: no fencing…
Source: horowhenua.govt.nzUpper Celaeno Park (between Frederick Krull Reserve and Shakespeare Way)
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilOff-leash designation applies ONLY to the upper part of Celaeno Park between Frederick Krull Reserve and Shakespeare Way; it is an entry…
Dog Control Bylaw 2024 Schedule 3 (Dog Exercise Areas) lists 'Upper Celaeno Park (between Frederick Krull Reserve and Shakespeare Way)'…
Source: pncc.govt.nzWaughs Road
Manawatū-WhanganuiFencing not stated by the councilDefined road/reserve stretch between the Railway Bridge and Awa Street. Linear corridor, not an enclosed park.
Council: 'Waughs Road - between the Railway Bridge and Awa Street'. Bylaw Schedule 2 identical. No fencing wording appears in the council…
Source: mdc.govt.nz