New park lets dogs off the leash

Rockingham dog owners and their canine friends have a new place to play, with the opening of the City’s first designated enclosed off-leash dog park.

The area at Bayview Reserve, Rockingham, was officially opened on Saturday by City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels.

“It’s fantastic to have a space where dogs — and their owners — can have fun and socialise,” he said.

“The City has more than 100 reserves that are regularly used as exercise areas for the 19,000 registered dogs living here but these areas are not fenced, and they are shared with playgrounds, sporting facilities and other recreation areas.”

The project includes two separate spaces — one for small dogs and one for all dogs, along with various activity zones to minimise high-speed free running and encourage interaction.

It also has dog drinking fountains, seating, and a 1.8m high boundary fence with a 1.5m solid, internal dividing fence.

Mr Sammels said the park had been designed with access and inclusion as one of its key outcomes so people of all abilities could enjoy bringing their pets to play.

“Other enclosed dog parks are going to be provided throughout the City in the future, with planning already under way for a second one in Baldivis,” he said.