City of Newcastle’s (CoN) commitment to providing Novocastrian doggos with safe, accessible spaces continues, with improvements to Islington Park’s off-leash area set to kick off next week.
The planned work will include improvements to fencing, the addition of more stating, shade, landscaping and dog drinking water facilities as well as additional garbage bins and new park signage.
With 84,000 registered dogs calling Newcastle home, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen told Newcastle Live that catering to our canine population was a no-brainer – for both pooches and people.
“There are 84,000 dogs in Newcastle and we know there’s enormous demand to get them out and about.,” he said.
“Certainly through COVID, we’ve seen our parks used more than ever before. It’s really important for the socialisation of both owners and dogs that there are safe places to do that.”
The upgrades were identified in the CoN Dogs In Open Space Plan and follows the successful completion of a fully-fenced off-leash area in North Lambton.
Cr Clausen added that council was currently undertaking planning work for an off-leash area in Maryland while also exploring the possibility of a fenced dog park in Adamstown.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes echoed Cr Clausen’s sentiment, saying the improvements will make visiting the off leash area in Islington Park a safer and a more comfortable experience for pooches and their owners.
“The people of Newcastle are passionate about their dogs, which is why the City is committed to improving our off leash areas, with Islington Park our next focus area,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It’s important that there are a variety of safe off leash options for our furry friends to run free and socialise with other pets.”
The upgrade works in Islington Park are due for completion by June this year and during construction, the off-leash area will be unavailable for use.
