​The City of Canterbury Bankstown has released a new Plan that details its vision for providing quality and accessible off leash dog parks across the City.

Currently on public exhibition, the draft Off Leash Dog Park Action Plan gives community members the chance to help Council decide how to best manage these facilities and identify the need for additional infrastructure, such as lighting or shaded areas.

“We currently have 10 off leash dog parks across the City and know that demand for open spaces will only increase in urban environments,” Mayor Khal Asfour said.

Mayor Asfour said this community consultation phase is critical to inform Council on how to better balance users’ needs of all open spaces, and encouraged everyone to have your say.

The draft Action Plan has identified potential ways Council can improve its existing facilities, such as trialling the inclusion of separated dog play areas for large and small dogs, as well as identifying gaps in provision across the City.

“We have a great opportunity to improve our existing facilities and introduce a new standard that meets community expectations here,” Mayor Asfour said.

“Hearing what you want us to deliver for you, both for now and long into the future, is vital for creating a healthy and active City and in order to do so, we need to hear from you.”

Council will be undertaking targeted engagement in early 2021 on some of the key actions identified in the Plan.

Council has three major focus areas: how it provides people with access to these parks, how they are designed, and how they’re managed and maintained, while promoting responsible pet ownership and good dog park etiquette across the community.

“Visiting these parks is a fun and free activity that brings just as much benefit to dog owners as it does to their pets,” Mayor Asfour said.

The draft Off Leash Dog Park Action Plan is on public exhibition until Monday 1 March 2021. To view the full Plan and make a submission, visit cb.city/haveyoursay