Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer with shelter dogs Betty (front) and Banjo at the new Croom Dog Agility Park. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
If you’re looking for a playground to unleash your dog and its true abilities, Shelharbour has opened a new off-leash dog park at the Croom Regional Sporting Facility.
Work began on Croom Dog Agility Park in September and was completed last week, providing a purpose-built space northeast of John O’Dwyer Oval and adjacent to the BMX track at Croom Regional Sporting Facility for dog owners and their pets.
It adds to a growing network of parks, part of Shellharbour City Council’s Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy to guide the provision, improvement and management of dog-friendly spaces within Shellharbour City.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer opened the new off-leash dog park last week, with one of the key features of the new park being the inclusion of dog agility equipment for all skill levels.
“This new park is a fantastic place for dogs and their owners to socialise, exercise and enjoy our beautiful outdoors,” Cr Homer said.
“Our community has around 22,000 registered dogs, which stresses the importance of providing appropriate open spaces that cater to dog owners.”
He said dogs of all sizes and abilities could enjoy fun and challenging equipment including a jump-thru, weave-thru post, tunnel, platform and bridge.
These agility elements encourage exercise, play and skill-building, while giving owners a great way to bond with their pets in a safe, open environment.
Surrounding the agility equipment is secure fencing and gates for safe play; fresh turf, garden beds and newly planted trees for shade; and inclusive seating and sandstone log benches.
There is also an accessible water station with a dog bowl, a bin facility with doggy waste bags, a picnic table with shade shelter, a seat with backrests and sandstone log benches.
The design of Croom’s new dog park draws directly on community feedback gathered through council’s Let’s Chat page.
However, it’s not the only dog-friendly spot around Shellharbour where dogs can exercise off leash, with a range of facilities spread throughout the municipality.
Two years ago council completed a park at Shellharbour War Memorial Park on Benaud Crescent in Warilla with dedicated small and large dog areas.
Other dog parks include Alex Hoffman Park, which is accessed via Cuthbert Drive and Matthews Drive in Mount Warrigal, a dog park located on Whittaker Street in Flinders, and a dog park located on Kingston Street in Oak Flats.
There is also open space to the southern end of Jock Brown Sportsfield on Messenger Road in Barrack Heights, Bass Point Tourist Road between The Shallows coastal reserve and the gravel loader, and an area west of the AFL/cricket ground at Croom Regional Sporting Complex on Croome Road in Albion Park Rail.
For more information on the new Croom Dog Agility Park, visit the council website.
