A new exercise dog park could open in Armadale by Christmas after Member for Armadale Tony Buti donated $40,000 toward its development.
Dr Buti met with City of Armadale mayor Henry Zelones this week to hand over a cheque in support of the development of a dog exercise area at John Dunn Memorial Park in Third Avenue.
Dr Buti pledged the money during this year’s state election and said there had been plenty of public and council support for the exercise area.
“A lot of residents have contacted me over the last 18 months about having a dog park,” he said.
“I thought it would be a good idea to give towards helping the establishment of the park, which I think is really needed in the area.”
The city said the money would go towards constructing a 1.5-metre fence around the park.
The cheque came from the Community Improvement Fund designed to support councils and community organisations across the electorate.
In March the City of Armadale received a petition signed by 469 residents who wanted a fenced area for social dog exercise.
The petitioners said having an off-leash exercise area would reduce incidences of unwanted dog interaction, would mean local dogs were calmer and better behaved and would promote responsible dog ownership.
The park will be separated into three sections for small, medium and large dogs and agility equipment, bins, drink fountains and shade were planned.
Each section will range from 750-square metres to 1750-square metres and will include seating, a sand pit, extra trees and footpaths entering and linking each section according to the city’s plan.
The total cost was expected to be about $300,000.
Mr Zelones said the area would be a space designed for people first where dogs could also exercise.
“This is not about spending money on dogs,” he said.
“This is for people because dogs and other pets are important to people.
“We’re providing this facility for people and dogs will be able to enjoy it as well.”
The development was expected to start within three months with a completion date in December or January.
