Can I let my dog off lead in parks and open spaces?

Hastings has recently adopted new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to help tackle anti-social behaviour in the town. Parts of these orders govern how, when and where dogs are allowed in the parks and open spaces in the borough.

Below is a brief summary to help guide you however, we recommend reading the PSPO in full to familiarise yourself with the offences it covers as any breach of the conditions within may result in the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

Dog Exclusion Areas

Our PSPO restricts dogs access the following areas:

• All playgrounds, multi use games areas, skate parks, tennis courts, bowls greens and the water bodies in Alexandra Park and St Leonards Gardens. (View Maps) 
  
• The grounds of Hastings Castle. (View Map)
  
• The grounds of Hastings Cemetery. (View Map)
  
• Torfield School multi use games area and the access to it. (View Map)
  
• The Peace Garden in Alexandra Park. (View Map) 
  
• The Hughenden Road Pocket Park. (View Map) 
  
• the fenced part of Duke Green, Duke Road. (View Map)

Taking dogs into these areas can result in the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). 

Dogs on Lead Areas

Our PSPO allows dogs to be exercised off a lead in all parks and open spaces except the following areas:

• Lower Alexandra Park between Dordrecht Way and Bethune Way. Dogs must be kept on a lead between 8am and 6pm every day. (View Map)
  
• St Leonards Gardens & Linton Gardens. Dogs must be kept on a lead everywhere within these sites between 9am and 5pm (from 1st April to 31st October) and between 10am and 4pm (from 1st November to 31st March, Saturdays and Sundays only). (View Map)
  
• Warrior Square Gardens, West Marina Gardens, Grosvenor Gardens, The Stade Open Space and the West Hill Green Space. Dogs must be kept on a lead between 8am and 6pm every day throughout the year. (View Map)

Please note, outside of these times dogs can be exercised off a lead (i.e. before 8am in Alexandra Park and before 9am in St Leonards Gardens and Linton Gardens and after 6pm at all of the sites).