Sunbury Dog Park already a hit with our four-legged friends

POOCHES of all shapes and sizes are running, sniffing and socialising at the newly-opened Sunbury Dog Park.

Rita Grimley and dog Harvey at Sunbury Dog Park on Thursday. Picture: Josie Hayden

HOUNDS, retrievers and terriers are running, sniffing and socialising at the newly-opened Sunbury Dog Park.

The landscaped park at Harker St was opened without fanfare on Tuesday when two temporary fences were removed.

Within minutes, dogs and their owners had packed in to the long-sought after enclosed area where dogs can run free.

The issue was first raised in a 2012 as part of a Dog Park Feasibility Study, which became a concept plan in 2014.

Stephanie Tovey and dogs Taco (left) and Charlie enjoy Sunbury Dog Park. Picture: Josie Hayden

Last year a heritage overlay study and vegetation study was held as Hume Council had to submit a planning permit to the Crown land site.

Some elements of the park, including a dog agility course, are not yet fully completed.

COUNCIL SIGNS OFF ON SUNBURY DOG PARK

Sunbury dog minder and trainer Lara Mizhirtsky told Leader she rushed down to the park with four-month old German shepherd Lexie when she learnt it had opened while scouring social media last night.

“There were 200 or so comments on Facebook about it being opened — I was so excited, I couldn’t wait to get here,” she said.

Ms Mizhirtsky said dog parks were common on the Sunshine Coast where she originally came from but had been rare in Melbourne.

“They are really good healthy places for dogs to socialise and people too — you get to know your neighbourhood better.”

Fellow Sunbury resident Stephanie Tovey told Leader she would mostly admire it from a distance, mindful that one of her pooches Taco doesn’t socialise well with other dogs.

“It certainly looks as if the design has gone above and beyond to make it a good place for dogs and people to hang out,” she said.

Hume councillor Ann Potter said many residents were disappointed when the park didn’t open before Christmas, with temporary fencing assembled by contractors remaining longer than planned.

“The good news is it is open now and it will be a great and much used asset in Sunbury,” she said.

Lara Mizhirtsky and dog Lexie at Sunbury Dog Park. Picture: Josie Hayden