Starting on Sept 1, two popular parks in the Changning district of Shanghai — Gubei Citizen Park and Haisu Park — were opened to pets under a new pilot program.

The move follows Shanghai's new guidelines on park management and aims to strike a balance between being pet-friendly and maintaining public order.

Gubei Citizen Park

A pet-friendly design was already part of last year's renovation there, with new walking paths, grass sections and clear signs encouraging owners to be mindful of their pets.

Earlier this year, the park introduced staggered operating hours and designated zones. After 9 pm, once the playground crowd thins out, a section of lawn opens for pets to run leash-free.

Haisu Park

To better meet diverse needs, the park has installed pet water stations and waste-bag dispensers, and is exploring new models such as temporary pet zones during special events.

The pilot runs until the end of October, with public feedback expected to shape future rules.

Source: WeChat account of Shanghai Changning media center at "shchangning"