New dog facility to get tails wagging in western suburbs

Construction is underway on the first stage of City of Newcastle's latest fenced off-leash dog park in Maryland.

The premier facility will be located at Maryland Drive Reserve adjacent to the existing unfenced, leash-free area, with stage one works including the delivery of one fenced area open to all dogs.

Shelters with tables, informal sandstone seating, dog bubblers and extensive landscaping including trees for shade will also be included in the stage one area.

A future second stage of the project will feature an additional off-leash area to separate large and small dogs, as well as a formalised car park with accessible parking, additional seating and landscaping.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the first fenced area is expected to be complete by mid-June with the existing off-leash dog area remaining open.

"With more than 63,000 dogs registered in our city, we know Novocastrians are passionate about their canine companions and want more spaces where their dogs can safely exercise and mix with other pets," Cr Nelmes said.

"City of Newcastle is committed to providing a variety of off-leash options throughout Newcastle and has already delivered the city's first fully fenced off-leash dog park at Acacia Avenue Reserve, as well as upgrades to the existing popular area in Islington Park.

"Formalised off-leash dog areas enable people to take their dogs to a place where they can legally run free, exercise and socialise with other dogs. They also provide pet owners with a meeting place and an opportunity to connect with others in the community.

"This new project at Maryland will provide a premier facility for dog lovers in our western suburbs, which is sure to be popular with pet owners who already make the most of the unfenced off-leash area within this popular reserve."

The Maryland Dog Park forms part of the Dogs in Open Space Plan, which was adopted by City of Newcastle in 2019 to guide the provision, improvement and management of off-leash dog areas during the next 10 years.