'Doggie heaven' park proposed for families

A fenced dog park is on the cards, with plans to have a piece of suitable land secured by the end of the year.

Councillor Angela O'Leary has wanted to see a dog park for the past seven years and, with around 10,000 dogs in the city, believes it will be of benefit.

"It is about taking the family out with the dog for the day."

There are 15 unfenced dog parks in the city, where dogs are able to be walked off the leash.

The idea behind the dog park Cr O'Leary has put forward is to see families out with their dogs, in an area that would be described as a "doggy heaven" with plenty of room to run around and socialise.

"[Somewhere] safe for the whole family to go, but is doggy heaven."

She posted to her Facebook page asking what people thought of the idea. "It's a fact proven by research that families who own dogs are more physically active.

"Christchurch and Whangarei both have destination dog parks. Council has not put any funds aside for this project so fundraising would have to happen."

The response for the park was mixed, with concerns over dogs bullying other dogs, and becoming a "dog fighting park".

Alison Campbell said in a comment to the post that it is a matter of encouraging people to be responsible when letting their dog off the leash.

"We have off-lead parks in Hamilton now (albeit poorly or not-at-all fenced).

"I think the question is more one of how to encourage responsible supervision of one's animals; as other commenters have said, too many folks simply take their dogs there, tell them to 'play nicely' and then let them run riot.

"Another aspect is that of shared use - I've had people complain or ask me to move on because my (little) dog is playing in the river at Day's Park and they want their kids to swim there or feed the ducks.

"This is not going to be a simple issue to sort out."

Cr O'Leary said having a dog park would mean people who don't want to be around dogs can avoid it.

Long-time community worker Holly Snape likes the idea of a dog park.

"I am sure the working group could partner with business and philanthropic organisations to secure the finances to progress the project.

"It would be good to gather a working party of key stakeholders to secure funding and research established dedicated parks elsewhere to ensure we develop a fun, stimulating and safe space for dogs."

Cr O'Leary hopes to secure a piece of land, whether it is council-owned or fundraised for, and council staff are looking into management plans and whether there is a need.

The park will be created in stages, and will look to separate small and big dogs, with inexpensive play items such as old tyres for dogs to run through.

Fundraising would be needed for public toilets, fencing and parking.