Powerhouse dog park: Confusion as dog park left open despite Covid-19 ‘closure’

Residents near one of Brisbane’s most popular dog parks were left confused and angry after the overnight announcement that dog parks would be closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, with gates left open and users still coming and going all morning.

A POPULAR Brisbane dog park remained open all morning, with neither locks nor signs enforcing council’s “effective immediate” closure of the facility.

About 11.20am, following a number of resident complaints, a council representative was finally seen chaining up the facility and placing signs warning users of the closure.

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In a statement this morning, Brisbane City Council announced that all dog off-leash areas would be “closed effective immediately to help protect residents and visitors from transmission of coronavirus”.

At around 11.20am, following a number of resident complaints, a council chained up the facility and placed signs warning users of the closure

The Powerhouse dog park, however, remained unlocked all morning.

No signs enforced or announced the park closure, and residents were free to enter and exit the park as they pleased.

Local dog owners were left confused.

When approached by The Courier-Mail at the New Farm dog park before the eventual lockdown, Teneriffe resident Emily Jackson said she “didn’t even know the park was closing”.

“I was like oh great, what am I going to do with my dog,”

Ms Jackson, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her seven-year-old labrador Ace.

“She’s affectionate and super chill when she’s (at home) but she does need outdoor time,” Ms Jackson said.

“The dog park is like her backyard which makes it really hard.”

Ms Jackson said she would start ‘googling’ On-leash areas and dog friendly parks to put together a new dog walking routine.

“It’s sad because the park’s like

“Everyone’s been good with the social distancing thing at New Farm because it’s such a big park.”

Closure signs at a New Farm Park playground.

Brisbane City Council also announced the closure of playgrounds this morning.

At New Farm playground a number of signs posted around the facility enforced the closure in no uncertain terms.

“Closed in precaution against transmission of coronavirus,” the signs said.