The new off leash park at Henry Kendall Reserve has been praised by dog owners as providing a social space to exercise their dogs freely.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Charlie Snudden and his dog Tahli live in Laurieton and are situated half a kilometre away from the park.
The Laurieton reserve was one leash-free dog exercise areas to be established in the district after the council adopted its Dogs in Public Open Spaces policy.
In 2011 Port Macquarie-Hastings Council approved an area of cleared land, on the left side of the reserve access road, to be fenced and landscaped when funding became available.
Before the park at Henry Kendall Reserve opened up people who live in the Camden Haven could exercise their dogs leash free at specifically designated beaches in Bonny Hills, Dunbogan, North Haven and Lake Cathie.
Mr Snudden said the park is an asset to the Camden Haven.
“This is a nice, safe area which is free from ticks and where they (the dogs) can socialise,” he said.
“That’s the important thing for dogs is to socialise.”
He said the park means dogs stay away from fox baits, which are often laid in the Camden Haven bushland and can be fatal if ingested.
Mr Snudden said Tahli enjoys going to the beach but the leash free park provides another option which is close to home.
Tahli is nearly two-years-old and Mr Snudden said she needs a lot of exercise during the day.
Mr Snudden said the park is bound to become very popular in the Camden Haven once people know it has opened.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council signage has been erected at the park.
Conditions of the park include owners must be responsible for their dog at all times and be able to control them by voice command. Dogs must also be leashed to and from the park and dog waste must be placed in the bin provided.
For more information about where leash free dog parks are situated in the Hastings people can visit the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council website at www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au