Play area for pooches prepared in Ascot Park

Site works have begun on a fenced dog exercise area in Ascot Park in Porirua.

The Village Planning-funded project, which came about after discussion with the Ascot Park Neighbours Association, will cover a total area of about 5300 square metres and includes a meandering pathway through mature trees, pedestrian gateways, a dog watering station, circular gravel pathway, litter bins and macrocarpa benches. Drainage will be improved on the site.

Neighbours bordering Ascot Park and Te Kura Māori o Porirua were also consulted during the proposal process.

Porirua City Council has granted resource consent for the exercise area.

It will be open during daylight hours only and will be accessed from Abbey Way, Parkinson Close, Warspite Ave and the Ascot Park car park.

Recent figures showed that there are nine dogs for every 100 people in Porirua, so Eastern Ward Councillor Faafoi Seiuli has no doubt this facility will be well-utilised by residents.

“The community have told us that a dog area was needed and it’s great to see this project underway,” he said.

“It will be a fantastic place for people and their pets to come together and socialise, a real asset for this part of Porirua.

“There’s an area to throw balls around and other cool parts to it – it’s great.”

Comments about the Ascot Park dog exercise area have been positive on the popular Dog Lovers of Porirua Facebook page, with members delighted there is a local space to run their dogs.

We expect the facility will be completed in December.

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