Five new off-leash areas will be created in Whittlesea in response to community requests for more designated dog parks.
Council voted last week to make portions of Mill Park’s Delacombe Reserve, Lyndarum Wetlands in Epping, Creek Park in Mernda, Fitzwilliam Park in Doreen and Whittlesea Park in Whittlesea off-leash parks.
The decision follows the creation of an off-leash dog park at the Whittlesea Public Gardens in Thomastown in 2009.
A report to last week’s council meeting said council had received positive community feedback about the park and numerous community requests for more designated off-leash areas in the past seven years.
The report said the new off-leash parks would balance the needs of dog owners and other park users.
“Council encourages owners of dogs to use off-leash park areas as they provide an opportunity for dogs to get exercise and for their owners to contribute to their own health, wellbeing and enjoyment,” the report stated.
“It is acknowledged that not all residents welcome the presence of dogs within open spaces, therefore the provision of designated off-leash dog parks that are fully fenced provides an opportunity not only for the dog owners to enjoy activities with their dogs, but also for other community members to enjoy adjacent open space without feeling uncomfortable.”
