Brand new off-leash park a win for Frankston’s dog lovers
They were banned from a Frankston North oval after a dogfight between pet owners and parents — now pooches will have a new off-leash park one block away, in a win for four-legged friends.
South East
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A brand new off-leash park is set to hit Frankston North in a win for the community’s four-legged friends.
After a two month dogfight between pet owners and concerned parents — which eventually sparked a Frankston City Council ban on all canines from Pat Rollo Reserve in July — pet owners will from summer be able to take their furry friends to a new roam-free zone located just one block away at Telopea Reserve.
The ban was sparked after parents of Pines Junior Football Club children said dogs were terrorising kids and bursting footballs at the games.
A council survey of 1150 neighbouring houses found 60 per cent of respondents supported the Pat Rollo Reserve being used as a dogs off-leash area, with 40 per cent either wanted it used as an on-leash area or the ban to stay.
But the new gated off-leash park, proposed by councillor Kris Bolam, was given the green light last week.
Pat Rollo Reserve will now be a leashed zone.
Mr Bolam said the new park — which will cost $70,000 and will feature signs, a multi-use drinking tap, dog bad dispenser, solar light, park bench and table — was a “happy medium” and balanced the needs of dog walkers and pavilion users.
“For some time now, Frankston North residents have said they want a dedicated area for their dogs to roam safely and without hindrance,” he said.
“(The) council’s decision will now make this a reality.”
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Mr Bolam said Telopea Reserve was picked as the site for the off-leash zone as the basin area at Pat Rollo Reserve would have made the land susceptible to flooding during winter.
Pines Junior Football Club president Damien Pusch said on social media the announcement came as “great news”.
“(The decision) leaves the reserve as a dedicated sporting oval as it was designed to be for the local sporting clubs and the community to use for sport,” Mr Pusch said.
“The (club’s) executive committee … have always supported that dog owners have their own dedicated off leash area and had mentioned this site in particular would provide a happy solution for all.
“To the Mayor Michael O’Reilly and councillors who voted yes … thank you for making a happy, viable solution for all concerned parties.”