The Meningie Dog Park is now open at the Meningie Community Sports Ground thanks to a positive partnership between the Meningie Area School and Coorong District Council.

The off-leash dog park project is the result of two-years of planning with local students – who worked on it as a ‘real life’ project as part of their studies.

The opening event was held on 29 November at the dog park, with Councillor Sharon Bland and local student Mitchell Holme cutting the ribbon in front of more than 100 people (including 30 students from the school).

The Animal Welfare League was on-site conducting dog training sessions and providing information about dog park etiquette. The Meningie Vet was also in attendance offering $20 microchipping.

Importantly, about 12 dogs attended on the day and enjoyed obstacles, treats and games.

The students have been involved throughout the entire community consultation phase; from designing the park signage, planting vegetation and even constructing the dog park equipment.

From Council’s perspective it is has been wonderful to see such a strong and positive partnership develop over the course of the project between the school and Council. The information collected has been vital to the project management team, helping to ensure the park meets community needs, as well as visitors to Meningie.

The $44,000 project was funded by the Coorong District Council and includes a 1,000 square metre space with access to drinking water, waste disposal, irrigation, directional signage, shelter, seating and dog exercise equipment. The park will also include trees and hedges, and a 1.8 metre chainmesh fence surrounds the space.

Coorong District Council Mayor Paul Simmons believes the new dog park will encourage more tourists to visit Meningie and increase the community’s social interactions.

“Most public areas around Meningie require dogs to be on a leash, and the Council has listened to the public’s desire to create a safe and inviting area to take your dog for some fun and exercise off-leash,” Mayor Simmons says.

“We expect the park’s amenities will encourage more visitors to drop in, or stay longer in the town - and perhaps even deliver more overnight stays, which is positive for local businesses.

“The park will be a valuable recreational asset for the community allowing local people and their pets to socialise and support active and healthy lifestyles.”

This is the fourth dog park within the Council area – other parks are located in Tailem Bend, Tintinara and Coonalpyn. The Coorong district has been a leader in this space for a number of years, with the first South Australian off-leash area opened in Coonalpyn in 1995 (by the Coonalpyn Downs Council).

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Contact:
Nat Traeger
DIRECTOR COMMUNITY & CORPORATE | COORONG DISTRICT COUNCIL
Phone: 1300 785 277