(21/8/2018) Compromise proposed for dogs in Samson Park

Fremantle residents are being asked for their views on a compromise proposal to allow dogs to be walked on a leash through the bush in Sir Frederick Samson Park.

Samson Park is a Bush Forever site protected under state planning policies and features Fremantle’s last remnants of jarrah, marri and tuart woodland.

The 14 hectare park is currently a designated dog exercise area, meaning dogs are allowed off-leash in both the central grassed area and the bushland.

Last year the City of Fremantle sought to alleviate the pressure that dog walking puts on the bush by proposing dogs be prohibited from the bushland.

The City’s acting Parks and Landscape Manager Tim Marks said community feedback demonstrated a strong desire to continue to allow dog walking in the bushland.

“Off-track trampling and disturbance can have a big impact on the condition of the bush at Samson Park, but we also recognise a lot of people enjoy walking through the bush with their dogs,” Mr Marks said.

“In most Bush Forever sites, like Wireless Hill in Melville or Manning Park in Cockburn, dogs are only allowed in the bush if they’re on a leash.

“We think this proposal strikes a reasonable balance between minimising disturbance to the bush and meeting the community desire to walk in the bush with their dogs.”

The proposal for requiring dogs to be on-leash in the bush is part of a range of measures the City is implementing to protect and regenerate the bush in Samson Park.

Other works will include formalising some of the many trails through the bush, fencing some areas to reduce off-track movement, reducing the number of informal tracks through the bush and improving information and educational signage.

The City will continue work to improve the condition of the bush by planting new seedlings, controlling weeds and feral animals and monitoring wildlife and vegetation.

The community will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed change to the dog policy in Samson Park until 24 September, with a report expected to be presented to the council for consideration in October.

For more information and to have your say visit the My Say Freo website.