By Casey Neill
Noble Park pooches could soon have more room to move.
A new dog park is proposed for the public space that will be created beneath the elevated rail line.
Frances Sadler and her fox-terrier cross Bones visited Copas Reserve on Monday 1 May to launch a survey on this idea and others.
Ms Sadler owns ACE dog grooming, which has been in Noble Park for 20 years and has about 1500 clients.
She said fenced areas provided peace of mind for dog owners and a chance for canines to burn off spare energy.
“People have been at work all day, they’re tired, but the dogs have been stuck at home all day and they need to run it off,” Ms Sadler said.
“There’s a lot of breeds that need to run, but not all people are capable of running, especially when they get older.
“Although you can take your dog off leash in certain reserves, there are too many unpredictable situations.
“Even the most well-behaved dog, under the right or wrong circumstances, can just bolt for it.”
Project director Brett Summers urged Noble Park residents to complete the survey by the end of May.
“It’s essential we test this proposal with the broader public to make sure there is real support for these ideas,” he said.
Community Open Space Expert Panel chair Professor Tim Entwisle, the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne director, said there was a strong focus on all-age facilities.
“We are really looking to create spaces that look beyond the traditional to make sure there is something for everyone, no matter what stage of life you are at,” he said.
Visit your.levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/public-open-space to complete the survey.
