Project updates


Project details

Inner West Council has been trialing dog off leash areas at Johnson, Morton and Petersham Parks since October 2016. The trial off leash areas at Johnson and Petersham Park are timed and the area at Morton Park is full time.

The trials are now being evaluated and Council is encouraging all park users and local residents to provide feedback. Evaluation also includes reports from Council rangers, engagement with groups using the parks, and feedback obtained during the trials through dedicated email addresses.


Background
Council conducted a study in 2012 resulting in the Recreation Needs Research – Strategic Directions for Marrickville report. Developed with significant community input, the report highlighted that ‘walking the dog’ was the second highest recreational activity in Marrickville.

Council’s subsequent Recreation Policy and Strategy, which was adopted by Council in 2013, outlined that additional dog off-leash areas would be investigated to adequately service the need to exercise dogs across the area.


Trial Program

  • 2013-14 Off leash areas were first trialed in ten Marrickville parks. After community engagement and evaluation, Council decided to make these areas permanently off leash
  • 2015-16 Council then mapped the gaps in off leash area provision and decided to conduct the next trials in Petersham Park, Sydenham Green and Laxton Reserve. After evaluation Council decided to make the areas permanent in Petersham Park and Sydenham Green
  • 2016-17 At its July meeting Council resolved to conduct new trials in an additional area of Petersham Park, Morton Park, Johnson Park and Mahoney Reserve. Read about the existing off leash areas and the conditions of the most recent trials here
  • The trials concluded in April 2017 except in Mahoney Reserve which will continue until the end of July 2017 in order to include input from winter season sports users.

Have your say

Council is evaluating the trial throughout May 2017 and encourages all park users and local residents to provide input as part of this process. Have your say by completing the relevant survey below - they all include opportunity for written comments.

For those unable to comment online, feedback can be sent by mail using reference 16/6044

to

Inner West Council
PO Box 14,
Petersham
NSW 2049

The last day to provide feedback is 28 May 2017.


What happens next

Following the evaluation, a report will be submitted to Council in June 2017 to consider the results of the trial and determine a longer term decision. The existing trial conditions will remain in operation until Council makes a decision. Further information about Council’s dog off leash areas can be found by following this link.