New park for pooches

Canterbury-Bankstown will soon have its 10th dog park, with the construction of a new off-leash area at Ruse Park, Bankstown.

The $110,000 project will begin shortly, after the majority of residents who took part in the

consultation process, supported it. Consultation included mailouts to local residents and businesses, posters displayed in the park, two information sessions and online survey.

Mayor Khal Asfour said the majority of respondents believed the park was currently underutilised and would benefit from an off-leash area.

"Residents told us what they want and now we’ve delivering it," he said."This dog park will be in a great central location in Bankstown’s CBD, where there is a high concentration of dog owners."

Ruse Park was identified as a priority site for an off-leash area, as part of the Bankstown Paws in Park Strategy, due to its land size, natural shade and potential to service a growing population in Bankstown’s CBD.

Work on the 7,000 square metre off-leash area is due to be completed by the end of May, and will include an additional picnic shelter and benches, drinking fountains, and more bins.

Resident Paula Baldock, from Bankstown, said she planned to become a dog owner again once the park was completed.

"The main reason my family would love to see a new dog park is simply that when we had a dog we couldn’t make it to any of the other ones nearby," she said. "We don’t drive and our nearest dog park is an hour’s walk away.

"To my family, dogs are beyond important as they provide us with unconditional emotional support. Therefore, it’s important to be able to show them the very best of the world, caring for them like they care for us. A dog park is fundamental for this because not only does it provide them with the exercise they need, but also social interactions with a range of people and other animals."

Existing dog parks in the City are located at:

Peace Park, Ashbury (Trevenar Street);Close Street Reserve, Canterbury (Close Street)Band Hall Reserve, Birrong (Ferrier Road);Cooks River Foreshore, Campsie (Sixth Avenue);Hughes Park, Earlwood (Warburton Parade);Richard Podmere Reserve, Roselands (Karne Street North);The Vale of Ah, Milperra (Auld Avenue);Craig Street, Punchbowl (Kylie Parade); andPeter Moore Field, Belmore (Tudor Street).