Residents in Old Ottawa East are upset by a decision to ban off-leash dogs from a popular recreational spot behind Saint Paul University.

Annie Leblanc said she likes to take her dog Biscuit to the picturesque park along the Rideau River, and which has a community garden, tennis courts and hundreds of metres of open space.

But she's had to tie a 10-metre long leash on Biscuit since the ban was introduced last month.

"It's really sad," said Leblanc who moved into her house just off Main Street two years ago. "Everyone's really upset."

"I'm a single mom, and this for me has been a real breath of fresh air," she said. "I come with my dog here at night. It feels like you're living outside, you know, not just in your home, isolated."

Nearby residents said they've been bringing unleashed dogs to run on the property for nearly 20 years and they have raised thousands of dollars for Saint Paul University in appreciation of the space. So they're angry they weren't consulted before the ban was imposed.

Jacques L'Heureux, the administrator for the Oblate residence that owns the property, said, "If people want to talk then they can talk, but this is private property even if many of them think that they own the place."

Leblanc said residents were not informed of the decision because it was not negotiable.