Portland Dog Parks

Great idea but l don't think Henty park is a suitable place for it. Too small and too close to everything else in the park. I would love to see a much larger area for both large and small dogs together as some people have both a large and a small dog. I have used the one in Mildura and it is set up for all dogs and works a treat. There are trees for shade, a few tables scattered thought out, drink stations and a winding gravel path and its a very large area so there can be good distance between different groups. That's all that's needed for dogs to have a good run and get their exercise.

While I realize the approved off-leash dog parks are being funded by a state government grant, the ongoing maintenance of them will be at a significant financial cost to ratepayers.
We have experienced, first hand, the results of living next to a fully-fenced off-leash dog park in South Melbourne and the council money which was required for the up-keep. In the space of 2 years the grass had to be replaced 4 times, at a cost of $250,000.
A fully-fenced dog park also creates additional maintenance problems. Once in the space the owners felt no responsibility for monitoring their dog's defecations, spending their entire time on their phones. As a result the park was nothing more than a dog toilet, the odour of which was unbearable in the summer.
Surely an environment such as Portland does not require such a facility, draining our coffers in ongoing upkeep.
I also believe that discouraging people to walk their dogs does not align with the council strategy in regard to the health and well-being of our residents.
If we must have an off-leash dog park, it needs to be bigger, so the grass has a chance to recover, and be in a location where it can be unfenced to demand some vigilance from owners.
Despite our park being signed for access between 7.00am to 7.00pm, we were also disturbed by dogs barking regularly between 6.00am and midnight. Such were the extent of the complaints from residents, that ongoing supervision by council was required.
Maybe this is the solution to moving the free campers on rather than to a problem which I am not convinced exists!

While I realize this appears to address concerns of recent incidents of uncontrolled dogs, it will in no way stop such owners continuing to be irresponsible.
We have experienced, first hand, the results of living next to a fully-fenced off-leash dog park in South Melbourne and the rate-payers money which was required for the up-keep. In the space of 2 years the grass had to be replaced 4 times at a cost of $250,000.
A fully-fenced dog park also creates additional maintenance problems. Once in the space the owners felt no responsibility for monitoring their dog's defecations, spending their entire time on their phones. As a result the park was nothing more than a dog toilet, the odour of which was unbearable in the summer.
Surely an environment such as Portland does not require such a facility, draining our coffers in ongoing upkeep.
I also believe that discouraging people to walk their dogs does not align to the council strategy in regard to the health and well-being of our residents.
If we must have an off-leash dog park, it needs to be bigger, so the grass has a chance to recover, and be in a location where it can be unfenced to demand some vigilance from owners.
Despite being signed for access between 7.00am to 7.00pm, we were disturbed by dogs barking regularly between 6.00am and midnight.
Maybe this is the solution to moving the free campers on!

Great to see it's about time. Could there be one entry and one exit so the dogs don't feel confronted by 2 way traffic.

Signage - common sense rule, it’s not for children to play on, capacity limit, dangerous / unreliable dogs to be muzzled. Effective recall. Vaccinated dogs only.

Mt Gambier park is great idea. With obstacles made with recycled materials.

Bins, with poop bags, not empty rolls and full bins.

Security cameras, because people are idiots and a dog, or worse, a person WILL get bitten

Rangers to patrol and hand out on the spot fines for people not cleaning up after their dog, and enforce those fines, or the place will stink on hot days and won't get used in the end

Enforce dog registration too, if a person takes their unregistered dogs there, give them 28 days to register the animal! Stop being so damned lazy and start enforcing the rules! If only for the revenue raising!

High fencing, I don't want a loose dog hassling us because some owner can't control it

There's a company called "Replas" who make dog park agility equipment from recycled plastic. Looks great.
I'd love to see lots of education around socialising dogs, supervising interactions, reading dog body language etc.
Also, I think it would be really great if there could be some provision for the park to be booked for private sessions a few times a week (much like hiring a tennis court) eg a lot of greyhound owners would love to give their dogs an offlead run but not legally allowed. I know this would be difficult to organise though.

Balance beams,hurdles,weave poles,a tunnel.

I’d love to see your evaluation matrix and the actual number of respondents influencing this disastrous decision to further compromise an already stretched recreation space with such an inappropriate use. Alexandra Park has space plus a dog training track, is easily accessible, is more amenable to provision of specific dog activity infrastructure (pipes, mounds etc) and is less likely to further compromise walkers’ enjoyment of the existing walking tracks around Fawthrop Lagoon, the gardens and the Foreshore caused by lazy owners not picking up after their dogs. To put this facility in Henty Park beggars belief.

I'd like to suggest one have an area similar to a tennis court for dog training purposes; this is useful for training rescue dogs for example. This way they can be fully enclosed and safe.

Can it please have high fences? My dog is a jumper - a fence around 2mtrs high would be 👌Thankyou.

A tunnel one of those cement pipes then covered over with grass so they can run over it and through it

Will the parks be open 24/7 everyday or will they be open during allocated hours only?

Hi, I think that there should be security camera. No matter what you do, there is always going to be irresponsible dog owners. I think that they should be accountable for their dogs’ behaviour and poo.

1 nice specimen tree in each yard. Something that is not toxic to dogs.
Perhaps a noticeboard for people to post about dog related items or events, that may interest others.