Rising dog ownership

Data from our active dog registrations show us that dog ownership in Merri-bek has tripled in the last 6 years. We also know that dog ownership in high-density spaces is increasing, creating additional need for dog facilities within open space.

We have heard from some parts of our community that there are opportunities to improve facilities for dogs in our open space. The strategy will explore how we can better share open space for both dog walkers and other open spaces uses (such as formal sports).

Sharing our Open Space

Our open space areas often serve many functions and support a diversity of uses and users concurrently. For example, an open space sports field which has a formal allocation for use of a sports grounds in evenings and on the weekend for a formal sports group. This open space can also be an important open space for dog walkers, being a designated off-leash dog space, as well as providing space for informal recreation and informal sport.

Council officers, community members and sports groups have reported that at times, our open space has not been appropriately shared between users. Council will explore how we can enhance the sharing of our open space for diverse uses and users and how these spaces can co-exist harmoniously.

Key questions

Share your experience with dogs in Merri-bek spaces

We want to hear from everyone, whether you are a dog owner, a dog lover or neither.

30 June, 2023

tresca_cullen says:

The Edgars Creek dog walking community seeks a fenced dog park between Golf Road and Ronald Street Bridge.

29 June, 2023

sadiedog says:

Don’t have a car so I value feeling like I’m bushwalking in nature w/my dog in Merri/Edgar’s Creek. Would like to see more trails developed

29 June, 2023

sadiedog says:

Love to see more non-fenced offleash zones in Merri+Edgar’s Creek areas. Fenced dog parks, unless VERY BIG, aren’t good enough 4 exercise.

29 June, 2023

tanija says:

Would be great to provide more free positive reinforcement dog training opportunities to promote responsible dog ownership.

29 June, 2023

tanija says:

With a large active dog I value offlead areas that are unfenced where we can walk kms. I find fenced dog park frustrating and cause fights

27 June, 2023

Baicha1 says:

"Disengaged" dog walkers are a minority but nevertheless a concern in regard to child safety, community health and environmental consequence

27 June, 2023

venus says:

More LARGE totally enclosed dog parks required. Ongoing maintenance is vital.

25 June, 2023

b_k says:

More on-lead parks are needed with seperate fenced off-lead sections so picnickers/kids/owners with reactive dogs can enjoy parks too

22 June, 2023

screeh says:

Brunswick Park needs better signage to make clear it's an on-lead area: important given adjacent off lead areas and resident birdlife.

20 June, 2023

Alexiao says:

As a dog walker of several dogs at a time, it is important for dogs who live in small apartments to have large spaces to explore for an hour

20 June, 2023

KevinT says:

Foletta Park is dog toilet. Really terrible. Dog owner, I never let them urin/defecate inplayground. Open fence so people have to control

15 June, 2023

CarinaB says:

Theres so much dog poo all over my local off leash park. Providing free dog bags at major bin stations/entries would help with this.