Centennial Park identified as preferred site for Albany’s future enclosed dog park

A City of Albany officer report has recommended the Centennial Park Central Precinct as the preferred area for an enclosed dog exercise park.

The report also recommended that council considers allocating funds to the project, estimated at $120,000-$150,000 for its essential components, in the City’s 2023-24 budget.

The Centennial Park location, opposite the City of Albany administration buildings on North Road, was identified as the best of four options explored in the report.

It was the only option to satisfy all nine criteria, placing it in front of Foundation Park, Becker Park and Collingwood Park.

It was also the only option considered big enough not to interfere with other users, capable of being able to separate big and small dogs, and accessible for all ages and abilities.

“Centennial Park Central Precinct met all the criteria as there are already two car parks, existing paths, is a large enough area to separate users, has no residents within 70m and has great passive surveillance,” the report said.

Other benefits were the site was well-drained, had natural shelter and did not require reticulation which would allow dogs to dig.

Two petitions with more than 500 signatures between them, submitted separately by Monica Belz and Lily Link, were accepted by councillors in June and prompted the report.

The report said the petitioners supported the preferred site and criteria developed to assess the sites.

There are 14 designated dog exercise areas in the City of Albany where dogs are allowed to run off-leash, but those areas are not enclosed.

The City’s development and infrastructure services committee will consider the recommendation on Wednesday, before the item goes to full council later this month.