MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
QUESTION NO.12
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
“To ask for a report on a possible dog run in Rathcoole like the one in Corkagh park? How could this be progressed?”
REPLY:
The 2011 Parks and Open Spaces Bye-laws, Section 4 – Animals, requires that all dogs be on a leash and under effective control when in a public park or open space in the county.
However, acknowledging that many dog owners wish to exercise their dogs off leash, the 2011 Bye-laws also included two exceptions to this general rule.
Dogs may be exercised off leash in either designated areas (dog runs) or at designated times.
The Council has, to date, provided off-leash areas in three of the Regional Parks in the county – Corkagh Park, Griffeen Valley Park and Tymon Park. The off leash areas are fenced with double entry gates and extend to approx 5,000m2 and have proven to be very popular with dog walkers. While off leash areas can be readily accommodated in major parks, where the park extends to over 100 hectares, it is considered that an alternative approach would be better suited to small parks such as Rathcoole Park, which extends to about 14 hectares.
To date, the Council has not moved to designate times when dogs may be exercised off leash in public parks and open spaces as there has been no particular demand for this facility. However, in light of requests to provide an off leash area in Rathcoole Park, it is proposed to introduce, on a trial basis for a period of one year, designated times for dogs to be allowed off leash in the park.
The designated off leash times will be from 8.00am to 10.00am in the morning and for one hour before park closing in the evenings. These times co-incide with the times of day when many dog owners exercise their dogs and should minimise potential conflicts with other park users.
Arrangements will be made to place signage in the park advising the public of the date of commencement of the off leash period.
