Virginia Ryan Park and Stevens Reserve – dog exercise area consultation

The City would like to hear from the community about the proposals to specify Virginia Ryan Park (8 Watkins St, Fremantle) as a Dog Exercise Area (DEA) and to make improvements and changes to the existing DEA at Stevens Reserve.

Virginia Ryan Park

The City of Fremantle (the City) is engaging with the public regarding a proposed amendment of the Dog Exercise and Prohibited Areas policy (2018). Specifically, this proposed policy amendment would include Virginia Ryan Park as a dog exercise area. Currently, Virginia Ryan Park is classed as a public space with dogs required to be on a lead at all times, that is, “dog permissible”; however, it is not designated as a “dog exercise area”.

If Virginia Ryan Park was to be included as a dog exercise area in the Dog Exercise and Prohibited Areas policy (2018), the park would be altered in the follow ways:

• Dog amenities: bins, bags, dog bowl/water fountain.
• Additional signage re dog exercise area change.
• Fencing of the southern boundary along Watkins Street.
• Additional seating.

This change would allow dog exercise off-lead in the area, in this way, providing additional public space to Stevens Reserve for local dog owners, while authorised sporting activities are taking place at the Reserve. Virginia Ryan Park was identified as the most suitable park for a DEA following a review by City Officers.

Stevens Reserve

The City has engaged with the community and key stakeholders in recent years regarding the shared use of Stevens Reserve. We recognise the ongoing challenges that shared use of Stevens Reserve has presented to sporting clubs, dog, and non-dog owners. In an effort to alleviate some of these challenges, the City is proposing the following changes at Stevens Reserve:

• Removal of two existing gates, one on Stevens Street and one on the corner of Swanbourne and Stevens Street.
• These entries will be changed to a ‘chicane’ type entry with a barrier/fence that people will need to walk around to enter or leave the reserve. This is to prevent balls rolling out of the reserve and provide a level of protection, while also encouraging responsible dog ownership.
• Connect the footpath to the oval with an accessible concrete path.

A final decision on whether to proceed with these proposed works will not take place until after the Council has considered the outcomes of this community consultation.

Survey

Please complete the survey regarding Virginia Ryan Park and Stevens Reserve below. The survey is open from Friday July 22 to Friday August 19.

In accordance with the Dog Act 1976, the City of Fremantle is providing a 28-day period for consultation on this proposed amendment to the Dog Exercise and Prohibited Areas policy (2018).