It’s a dog’s life as Brighton Council prepares to open a second off-lead park

With about 4000 dogs registered within its municipality, a council is looking to open a second off-lead park after its first canine playground proved a big hit with the locals.

A LOCAL council is looking to establish a new off-lead dog park and is calling on locals to have their say.

The proposed park at Seymour St, Brighton, will form part of the town’s exisiting community precinct, which includes a playground, skate park, the Ted Jeffries memorial park and the Brighton soccer ovals.

About 4000 dogs are registered in the municipality and the council is calling on their owners to participate in the community feedback for the $80,000 facility.

Old Beach resident Alex Whitchurch said he expects the neighbourhood park will be popular as the area is in desperate need of a second such facility.

“I was very surprised by the success of the Lennox Park dog park earlier this year when it opened and I think it surprised the council, too. I don’t think they realised what a hit it would be,” Mr Whitchurch said.

“The new off-lead area will be another great spot for people to go to meet and to interact and socialise their dogs. It’ll give people more options so that Brighton locals won’t have to trek so far to go to Old Beach. It’s a win-win.”

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Alex Whitchurch, of Old Beach, with his pure-bred Alaskan malamutes Jet, 1, and Sasha, 2. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Mr Whitchurch moderates the Old Beach off-lead dog park Facebook page and was instrumental in petitioning the council to develop its first off-lead space, Lennox Park, which opened in March.

“At the time I was living in a house that didn’t have much of a backyard and the only places I could take my dogs to let them have a run around was the Old Beach Oval or to drive 20 minutes to Creek Rd at Lenah Valley,” he said.

“It got me thinking that I should approach the council to provide a dedicated place locally for dogs to run around and be socialised.”

A year later the Lennox Park site opened.

Brighton Council’s review of its dog management policy, which includes the provision of declared areas for dogs, is open for review until July 24.

To view the policy or to take the survey, go to www.brighton.tas.gov.au/property/dogs.