North Balwyn dog park proposal provokes community reaction
A council in Melbourne’s leafy east has spent years trying to find the perfect spot for a dog-only park. But after its first attempt failed, the latest proposed location — in Balwyn North — also has residents barking mad.
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The prospect of a dedicated dog park in North Balwyn has raised the hackles of some neighbours.
Boroondara Council is getting the community’s thoughts on transforming part of Gordon Barnard Reserve into a devoted area for four-legged friends.
But a community group has formed to oppose the proposition, citing concern for what that would mean for those who use the park as well as questioning the need for it in the area.
Friends of Gordon Barnard Reserve founder Ralph Niesen said the council was proposing “to fence off this beautiful parcel of lightly treed parkland that currently serves our community as open, shaded space for a wide variety of free recreational activities”.
“The park … is regularly used for meditation, tai chi, picnics, painting groups, non-aquatic activities during school swimming sports and it proves an essential area for walkers traversing Gordon Barnard Reserve and enjoying the shaded setting,” he said.
“The proposal would take away this tranquil space and have it designated for a single use, addressing only a small part of our community.”
A community campaign derailed council’s first attempt at creating a dog park at Fritsch Holzer Park in Hawthorn East.
Mr Niesen also raised concerns about the lack of assessment of the environmental impact of a dedicated dog park and any risks related to having it located directly behind the goals on the sports field.
The reserve is home to Old Camberwell Grammarians and Greythorn football clubs, as well as Balwyn and North Balwyn Combined cricket clubs.
The need for such a park was also questioned considering the nearby off-leash dog areas at Hislop Park and Macleay Park.
The council’s environment and infrastructure director, Daniel Freer, said the park was “underused, large enough to provide a safe space for dogs to run and play, easily accessible by car with ample parking spaces available and toilets nearby”.
He said there were more than 15,000 dogs registered in Boroondara, and while there was 219ha of open space designated as off-leash dog areas, no dedicated dog park existed.
“What is proposed is a fenced dog-friendly play area specifically designed to cater for dogs and their owners,” Mr Freer said.
“A fenced dog-friendly play area will provide a new space for dogs and their owners to socialise and exercise in a safe and controlled environment.”
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He emphasised that the location of the dog-friendly play area had not been decided.
The council and Mr Niesen are calling on the community to have their say via a Boroondara survey, which is open until March 22.