New dog park proposed for Heathcote, but some locals concerned about noise

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

A new fenced dog park has been proposed for the Christchurch suburb of Heathcote as part of a plan to open all of Birdsey Reserve to the public.​

The new park would occupy Birdsey Reserve​ across the road from Heathcote Valley Primary School​ and the Heathcote Cricket Club​ and not far from the Lyttelton Road Tunnel.​

The 3.5-hectare site rises from Bridle Path Rd. Under the proposal, it would contain two fenced dog areas, one for medium and large dogs, and the other for small dogs. Both would contain agility equipment.

The rest of the reserve would be planted in natives and fruit trees. Walking tracks, benches and signs would complete the landscaping plan.

Heathcote ward councillor Sara Templeton​ said she had received “some emails” opposing the dog park “due to the well established community ecological restoration project happening there”.

At a community consultation meeting in Heathcote early in November, noise from barking dogs was raised. The council had never received a noise complaint about a fenced dog park, the spokesperson said. Dog parks are typically open 24 hours.

Consultation on the proposal has closed. It was a “temperature check” by the council, engagement adviser Hannah Ballantyne said.​ If it was positive, a bid for funding would be made up the chain of command at council.