The new facility is located opposite Walters Park and features dog agility equipment, and a safe setting where people can exercise and socialise with their dogs.

Council’s community planning manager, Wes Hain, said the new fenced park was a great asset.

“This new area not only provides 10,000 square metres of space for dogs to exercise and play freely, it brings people together, helps build a stronger community and encourages our residents to become more active as well,” Mr Hain said.

“We know there is strong demand all across the city for areas in which the community can safely exercise and socialise their dogs and we are exploring ways to provide more of these facilities.”

Planning is also under way for a 4500-square-metre fenced dog park at Croudace Bay’s Thomas H Halton Park.   

Mayor Kay Fraser said the fenced area provided a safe and attractive spot for dogs and their owners to socialise.

“It’s a lovely green open space with shaded and sunny areas, mature trees and outdoor furniture for owners to relax on while their dogs run off a bit of steam,” Cr Fraser said.

“Nearly one-third of the feedback we received from recent community consultation on our new Dogs in Open Space Policy related to the need for fenced dog parks and dog owners’ preference for exercise areas to be segregated from cyclists, playgrounds, roads and other areas of high activity.”

The new park features three agility stations for dogs,a shaded picnic table, bench seats, and a water fountain for dogs and their owners

Dogs are welcome on-lead in all areas of Speers Point Park; however, with the opening of the new fenced dog park, owners are asked to use this safe and secure area for off-lead exercise.

Dogs can access the water at Booragul and Croudace Bay.

Work to improve the car parking area adjacent to the Speers Point fenced dog park will be completed by late 2018.