Still time to Have Your Say on dogs off leash trials
Inner West Council’s trial of dog off leash areas in Johnson, Morton and Petersham Parks is now open for feedback from the community.
Council has been trialing dog off leash areas at these parks since October 2016. The trial off leash areas at Johnson and Petersham Park are timed and the area at Morton Park is full time.
All park users and local residents are invited to provide feedback.
The evaluation of the success or otherwise of these trials will also include reports from Council rangers, engagement with groups using the parks, and feedback obtained during the trials.
Council conducted a study in 2012 resulting in the Recreation Needs Research – Strategic Directions for Marrickville report. Developed with significant community input, the report highlighted that ‘walking the dog’ was the second highest recreational activity in Marrickville.
Subsequently, Council’s developed the Recreation Policy and Strategy, which outlined that additional dog off-leash areas would be investigated to adequately service the need to exercise dogs across the local government area.
Trial Program:
- 2013-14 Off leash areas were first trialed in ten Marrickville parks. After community engagement and evaluation, Council decided to make these areas permanently off leash
- 2015-16 Council then conducted trials in Petersham Park, Sydenham Green and Laxton Reserve. After evaluation Council decided to make the areas permanent in Petersham Park and Sydenham Green
- 2016-17 At its July meeting Council resolved to conduct new trials in an additional area of Petersham Park, Morton Park, Johnson Park and Mahoney Reserve. The trials concluded in April 2017, except in Mahoney Reserve which will continue until June 2017 in order to include input from winter season sports users.
Read about the existing off leash areas and the most recent trials here:
Dog Exercise Areas
To Have Your Say, go to
www.yoursayinnerwest.com.au
Comment closes Sunday 28 May.