Belmont’s fenced dog park has reopened with fresh lawn and garden bed upgrades for dogs to enjoy.
The facility, which is located under the James Harrison Bridge on Barrabool Road in Belmont, first opened to the community in between lockdowns last June.
Featuring 4500 square metres of space with access to the Barwon River trail, the fenced dog park has been used by thousands of dogs and their owners since opening.
Due to the high use of the facility, the City of Greater Geelong temporarily closed the dog park to reinstate the grass on site, improve drainage, upgrade the garden bed edging with rocks and logs and install a concrete pad underneath the drinking fountain.
Mayor Stephanie Asher thanked dog owners for their patience while the maintenance works were underway.
“We’ve been blown away by the popularity of this new facility as thousands of dogs have tried out the agility course and got some much-needed exercise and socialisation in a few short months,” she said.
“The high use of this facility shows we’re on the right track with creating additional fenced dog parks in the region, with one in Lara not too far off.”
Features of the existing fenced dog park include a dog training and obstacle area with balance beams, hurdles, weave poles, a tunnel and sand area, separate spaces for passive and active dogs, shelter, seating and access to drinking water for both people and dogs.
Geelong MP Christine Couzens welcomed the park upgrades.
“The fact that the Belmont dog park needed maintenance shows how popular this park is with dog owners who want safe, stimulating facilities to exercise their pets,” she said.
“It is a great social and recreational space for both pet owners and their dogs. We were pleased to work with the City of Greater Geelong Council to deliver this popular facility.”
Community feedback in May 2020 informed the design of the dog park, with survey responders indicating separate areas for small or timid dogs, waste bins, bench seats and access to water as important design features.
The Belmont fenced dog park was supported by the Victorian Government through its Building Works Package, along with $15,000 from the city.
Kardinia Ward councillor Ron Nelson said dogs played an important role in the lives of many Greater Geelong residents, with more than 30,000 registered across the region.
“Thanks to residents that have visited and provided feedback since the dog park opened, those suggestions have allowed us to make improvements to the facility that will make it a better experience for all,” he said.
“Thank you also to the Victorian Government for its support in making this facility possible; it’s been well-used and I’m sure the new grass will get tails wagging.”
The Belmont fenced dog park joins the city’s recently upgraded facility at Stead Park in Corio and the soon-to-be-opened Lara fenced dog park.
Planning is underway for additional dog parks at Aldershot Reserve in St Albans Park and on the Bellarine.
