Have your say on Virginia Ryan Park dog exercise area

Fremantle residents are invited to have their say on a proposal to make Virginia Ryan Park a dog exercise area.

Currently, the park on Watkins Street is classed as a public space with dogs required to be on a lead at all times.

The proposed amendment to the City of Fremantle’s Dog Exercise and Prohibited Areas policy would allow dogs to be exercised off-lead in the park.

If Virginia Ryan Park was to become a dog exercise area, the City would also install additional amenities such as bins, a dog bowl and water fountain, as well as signage, extra seating and fencing along the Watkins Street boundary.

Specifying Virginia Ryan Park a dog exercise area is intended to provide another exercise option for local dog owners and alleviate some of the pressure on nearby Stevens Reserve.

Stevens Reserve is already a specified dog exercise area, but dogs are required to be on-lead whenever an authorised sporting activity is taking place.

The City is also proposing modifications to the fencing at Stevens Reserve, including replacing two of the existing gates with ‘chicane’ type openings that people will need to walk around to enter or leave the reserve.

These openings are designed to prevent balls from rolling out of the reserve, while also encouraging responsible dog ownership.

A final decision on whether to proceed with these proposed works will not take place until after Fremantle Council has considered the outcomes of the community consultation.

Residents can have their say by completing the online survey on the City’s My Say Fremantle website.

The survey is open until Friday 19 August.

To have your say please go to mysay.fremantle.wa.gov.au/virginia-ryan-park-dog-exercise-area.