'Record use' of Canberra's parks and reserves but people warned after dogs cause damage

Walking trails across the nation's capital have never been busier but rangers have said some have not adhered to rules and have put local fauna at risk in the process.

ACT Parks director Justin Foley said urban reserves across Canberra had experienced record use.

He pointed to Mount Taylor, Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie and Mount Majura as walking tracks that had seen a high uptick in the number of users.

"All of our urban reserves are being used pretty heavily at the moment, we're seeing people who have tended not to be users of the reserve using it for their recreation and exercise, which is fantastic," Mr Foley said.

"It's great to see the community enjoying the asset we've got but people probably don't understand some of the expectations of their behaviour in the reserves."

Dogs had recently wreaked havoc in parks and reserves. An example was in Molonglo Reserve where a wombat burrow had to be excavated after an off-lead dog became trapped.

Mr Foley said people had taken dogs to areas where the animal was prohibited and in some areas where dogs were allowed on-lead owners were letting their pets roam.

He said threatened species such as grassland earless dragons could face attacks from dogs.

"It's really important we keep dogs on leads because we want to make sure the local fauna is protected," Mr Foley said.

"Dogs really do have a big impact, for example kangaroos, if they chase kangaroos it has a big impact on the kangaroo, quite often they go into a shock response and it can often lead to mortality."

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Illegal bike jumps and trails were also being made across reserves.

"We are asking people to stick to the bike trails when they are on their bike, we're asking them not to try and achieve a personal best," Mr Foley said.

"For the kids, please don't build bike jumps and let's not create new trails in the reserves, don't leave your rubbish behind and don't bring your dog to a new area."

On-the-spot fines of up to $300 can be issued for people who have dogs off-lead. For illegal bike trails, an on-the-spot fine is $1500.

But Mr Foley said rangers wanted to focus an education approach.

"Our rangers have the authorisation to fine people and provide on-the-spot fines but we don't want to be doing that as a first case we just want to educate people," he said.

"We want them to use the wonderful resource that our urban reserves are but to just show respect and look out for others and look out for nature.

"Try to have a zero impact if you like while they are using it."

Some reserves across Canberra have been forced to close due to people flouting social distancing restrictions.

Most notably, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve was closed last month after more than 500 people visited the reserve in a single weekend.

Woods Reserve and all public campgrounds are also closed.

Namadgi National Park is still closed following the Orroral Valley bushfire.