Short term move heralds dog park improvements

Development of the Lower Harbour Crossing will mean a temporary relocation for the dog park.

Development of the Lower Harbour Crossing will have two positive spin-offs for visitors to Whangarei’s dog park – a temporary change of location, followed by an upgrade to the existing park.

The dog park at William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island opened in November 2008, providing a place close to the centre of Whangarei where dogs could legally run and play outdoors, off the leash. It has become increasingly popular over the past three years, but those using it have reported parts of the park get very boggy in wet weather, and there is no shade when it is hot and dry.

On 9 January 2012 the park will be temporarily relocated until the end of 2012 to prevent accidents or health and safety risks associated with the large number of construction vehicles in the area building the new Harbour Crossing.

The park will be relocated to the Town Basin end of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island, easily accessible from the entrance nearest the skate park. At the same time drainage will be installed at the original park to address the bogginess, and trees will be planted to provide shade. Existing agility equipment will remain in place (it won’t be relocated to the temporary park).

While the current park is closed, signs will be posted on the gate to the old landfill entrance indicating where the new temporary dog park is located.

When the approach to the bridge is complete the existing dog park will be reopened and visitors will be able to enjoy a drier, more shady park.