city of mitcham | location assessment location assessment ... · management of an enclosed dog...

City of Mitcham | Location Assessment

of 35 Balancing Act Adelaide | people + pets + cities

LOCATION ASSESSMENT: DOG PARK SUITABILITY

Prepared by Balancing Act Adelaide for City of Mitcham, February 2017



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Prepared by

Balancing Act Adelaide | people + pets + cities

Fiona De Rosa, Urban Planner + Dog Behaviour Trainer

www.balancingactadelaide.com.au

For City of Mitcham

February 2017

http://www.balancingactadelaide.com.au/



CONTENTS Introduction 4

Site 1: Hannaford Park 6

Site 2: Donnybrook Road Reserve 8

Site 3: Bailey Reserve 11

Site 4: Blackwood Hill Oval 14

Site 5: Ossie Goldsworthy Reserve 17

Site 6: Sherwood Reserve 20

Site 7: Suffolk Road Reserve 23

Site 8: Hawthorndene Oval 26

Site 9: Archibald Park 29

Conclusions 32



INTRODUCTION In January 2017, the City of Mitcham engaged Balancing Act Adelaide to assess nine parks/reserves within the Council area for their suitability as an enclosed dog park. The assessment involved:

Site visits to the chosen sites which were identified by Council staff

An assessment of each site against a range of criteria

A short list of sites suitable for further investigation through community consultation.

The evaluation process included a desktop analysis of Google maps for gathering contextual information on each site, site visits, documenting the findings on record sheets including photographs.

STUDY AREA

The nine parks/reserves are all located in the Hills area and included the suburbs of Belair, Bellevue Heights, Blackwood, Glenalta and Hawthorndene.

No. Park/ Reserve Suburb

1 Hannaford Park Belair

2 Donnybrook Road Reserve Bellevue Heights

3 Bailey Reserve Blackwood

4 Blackwood Hill Oval Blackwood

5 Ossie Goldsworthy Reserve or Johnson Parade Reserve Blackwood

6 Sherwood Reserve Glenalta

7 Suffolk Road Reserve Hawthorndene

8 Hawthorndene Oval Hawthorndene

9 Archibald Park Hawthorndene

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The assessment criteria to evaluate each park/reserve for their suitability as an enclosed dog park included the following categories:

Park hierarchy

Location

Space/size

Site features

Environmental considerations

Access and parking

Adjacent activities

Existing infrastructure

Other issues.



ENCLOSED DOG PARKS

“An enclosed dog park is a designated public area that’s been set aside for dog guardians to legally exercise, play and socialise their dogs off -leash.

The park is fully enclosed or fenced and has amenities that make it clear that dogs are permitted. In these parks dogs are to be under effective control and supervised by a responsible person at all times, just like any other public place.” (De Rosa, 2016).

Unlike children’s play spaces there are no Australian standards to guide the planning, design and management of an enclosed dog park. However, the Dog and Cat Management Board of SA has produced a publication entitled, ‘Unleashed, a guide to successful dog parks’ to assist local councils in the establishment of enclosed dog parks1.

A good dog park location should:

Be easily accessible by road

Have adequate space for off-street parking o Research shows that 68% of park users in the Adelaide region drive to dog parks

(Hazel and Thomsen, n.d.) which indicates that parking is an important issue

Have connections to existing pedestrian paths and trails

Be within walking distance of residential areas

Have good surveillance from public areas (not an isolated site)

Have good drainage

Be a relatively flat site

Some natural vegetation for shade

Ideally a larger sized area is preferable. An area between 2,500 -3,000 sq. m. allows more opportunities to create different activity areas (i.e. passive and active spaces) within the park. A larger space will help minimise overcrowding and potential dog-dog conflict, and overuse of ground surfaces.

A good dog park design should have the following elements:

Perimeter fencing

Multiple entry/exit points

Double gating system (safety airlock)

Maintenance gates

Internal circulation path

Variety of ground surfaces (irrigated turf, mulch, sand, concrete)

Landscaping (vegetation, mounding to break up the space into active/passive spaces)

Water for drinking fountains and reticulation of turf

Shade

Shelter

Seating

Bins and bag dispensers

Signage (directional and park rules).

1 ‘Unleashed, a guide to successful dog parks’ was prepared by Balancing Act Adelaide for the Dog and Cat Management Board of SA.



SITE 1: HANNAFORD PARKLAFFERS ROAD, BELAIR



HANNAFORD PARK, BELAIR

Assessment Categories Notes

Park Hierarchy:

Local, district or regional2 District

Location:

Accessible or isolated position

Surrounding land uses

Visibility into site

Co-location

Park is located between Laffers Road (main road) and Athol Street (local road)

Located in a residential area and borders residential properties

Good visibility into the site from both Laffers Road

Not an isolated site

Good passive surveillance

Space/size:

Available space to avoid site degradation by overuse & overcrowding of dogs

Ability to provide buffers between adjacent activities & uses (e.g. residential areas)

Good size for a dog park

Site Features:

Topography that may add/detract to dog park (i.e. sleep slopes)

Vegetation (i.e. existing trees for shade)

Soil & drainage conditions (i.e. soils that are poorly drained or potentially toxic)

Relatively flat site

Established mature trees on site providing natural shade

Consultant cannot comment on soil and drainage issues, however, Council’s maintenance staff would have a better idea of any issues that may need consideration

Environmental Considerations:

Potential impact on sensitive areas (e.g. wildlife areas & wetlands)

No significant environmental issues identified by Council

Access & Parking:

Vehicle & pedestrian access

On-street & off-street parking

Access off main road and easy to find

Car access to the park is via Laffers Road (main road) & Athol Street, Lindsay Tce. (local roads) and Rokewood Ave (cul-de-sac)

Pedestrian access to the park is via a shared path

There is no off-street parking associated, thus, potential park visitors are likely to park in surrounding residential streets and on Laffers Road (main road)

An enclosed dog park is likely to increase traffic on surrounding local roads given that 68% of people drive to dog parks in South Australia3

Additional cars and parking in surrounding streets is likely to impact on the local amenity of the area

2 Park hierarchy classifications have been provided by Council staff 3 Study undertaken by S. Hazel and D. Tomsen (n.d.) Utilisation of Fenced Dog Parks in the Adelaide Region, The University of Adelaide.



Off-street parking would need to be considered if an enclosed dog park is established in this park

Adjacent Activities /uses:

Separation or distance from other park users/amenities such as BBQ area, picnic area, children’s playground, skate park

There are no formal activities in this park

Existing Infrastructure:

Public toilets, fencing, electricity, water

Existing water supply (i.e. drinking fountain/bowl)

Dog bag dispenser and bags near entrance

Other issues:

Encumbrances, lease agreement, site readiness

Summary:

Advantages

Access via main road and easy to find

Good sized park

Relatively flat land and established trees for shade

Existing water supply

Disadvantages

No off-street parking and dog owners are likely to get their dogs in/out of car on Laffers Road, a busy main road

Park abuts residential properties on both sides

Potential for increased traffic and parking on surrounding residential streets

Recommendation: Site is recommended for further investigation



SITE 2: DONNYBROOK ROAD RESERVEDONNYBROOK ROAD, BELLEVUE HEIGHTS



DONNYBROOK ROAD RESERVE, BELLEVUE HEIGHTS


Park Hierarchy:

Local, district or regional Local

Location:

Accessible or isolated site



Co-location

Reserve is located on Donnybrook Road, Bellevue Heights

Located in residential area (back of Flinders University)

Not easy to find

Reserve with children’s playground (unfenced), gazebo & BBQ

Inappropriate location for a dog park (hard to access)

Size/space:



Small area for an enclosed dog park

Site Features:




Flat to undulating site





Access & Parking:



Steep roads to access site

No through road

No off-street parking

Very limited on-street parking (and steep roads)

An enclosed dog park is likely to increase traffic on surrounding local roads given that 68% of people drive to dog parks in South Australia


Adjacent Activities:


There is a children’s playground (unfenced), gazebo & BBQ located on the site



Electricity on site (i.e. electric BBQ)



Other Issues:


No information provided

Summary:

Advantages:

Established park

Disadvantages

Not enough space for a dog park

Not easy to find, steep slopes to access site


Very little on-street parking on steep slopes

Borders residential properties

Likely to increase traffic and parking on surrounding residential streets

Inappropriate site for a dog park

Recommendation: Site is not recommended for further investigation



SITE 3: BAILEY RESERVE SIMLA PARADE, BLACKWOOD



BAILEY RESERVE, BLACKWOOD


Park Hierarchy:


Location:

Location or isolated position

surrounding land uses


Co-location

Located on a corner of Simla Parade & Woosley St within a residential area

Reserve abuts residential properties on western & southern boundaries

Visibility into the site is poor due to tree/shrub coverage

Space/size:



Reasonable size park, but most is bushland

Site Features:




Flat to undulating site

Existing established trees on site (bushland in character)




The site is identified as a Bush for Life site (i.e. Signage on site, Bush for Life: regeneration area, please keep to defined paths)

Access & Parking:


On-street & Off-street parking

Car access to the reserve is via the local streets, Simla Parade and Woosley Street

Pedestrian access via local footpath network

There is no off-street parking associated with this reserve, thus potential park visitors are likely to park in the surrounding residential streets





There are no formal activities in the reserve, however there is a defined unsealed path running through the site, with a few benches



No visible existing infrastructure on site



Other Issues:

Encumbrances, lease agreement site readiness

Encumbrance on the area i.e. area to be developed as natural open space4

Summary:

Advantages:

Reasonable size reserve, but established bushland

Disadvantages:

Bush for life site & park users are to be kept to defined path This would be hard to maintain if converted into a dog park

Abuts residential properties

Existing encumbrance over site


Potential to increase traffic and parking on local streets


4 Information provided by council staff.



SITE 4: BLACKWOOD HILL OVAL CRAIGBURN ROAD, BLACKWOOD



BLACKWOOD HILL OVAL, BLACKWOOD


Park Hierarchy:

Local, district or regional District

Location:




Co-location

The proposed dog park site is located at back of car park and near fenced children’s playground

Not a central location, but a destination in its own right (Footy Oval & Clubrooms)

Site is visible from off-street car parking area within the oval

Space/size:



Not a large site for a dog park

(i.e. flat area approx.465 sq. m)

Site Features:




Flat to undulating land

Undeveloped site




Potential impact on sensitive areas (e.g. wildlife areas & habitats)


Access & Parking:



Car access to the oval via Craigburn Road

Walking trail to the proposed site from Trevor Terrace with fence gate access to oval

Formal off-street parking for approx. 60 spaces is provided at the rear of the clubrooms

On-street parking bays available on Craigburn Road (northern side only)

Need to consider parking and traffic on Football training nights & match days with additional dog park visitors to dog park5

5 Site visit undertaken on football training night and car park was nearly full.





The proposed site is near a fenced children’s playground



Public toilets on site

Existing water supply on site

New slab down on edge of oval

Other issues:


Blackwood Football Club currently holds a lease to utilise the Blackwood Hill Oval, clubrooms, car park, and storage areas associated with football activities

Coromandel Cricket Club also holds a licence to use the Blackwood Hill Oval and with consultation with the Blackwood Football Club to utilise the toilet/change room facilities. The period of the licence is from the 1st of October until the 31st of March each year6

Encumbrance on the woodlands area7. The boundary of encumbrance would need to be determined if dog park proceeds on this site

Summary:

Advantages

District park with off-street parking, access to public toilets and existing water supply

While the location of the oval is not central, it’s a destination in its own right (i.e. football club)

Site does not border any residential properties

Links to walking paths in adjoining Recreation Reserve

Disadvantages

Small site for a dog park

Undeveloped site


6 May 2004 Management Plan

7 Identified by Council staff



SITE 5: OSSIE GOLDSWORTHY RESERVE TREVOR STREET, BLACKWOOD



OSSIE GOLDSWORTHY RESERVE, BLACKWOOD


Park Hierarchy:


Location:




Co-location

Ossie Goldsworthy Reserve also known as Johnson Parade Reserve is located between Trevor Street and Johnston Parade (local roads)

Reserve accommodates a children’s playground (unfenced), shelter and seating

The reserve is located within a residential area and abuts onto residential properties on 2 sides (northern and southern)

Good visibility into most of the reserve from the road The section on the southern side is harder to see from the road

Space/Size:



Inadequate space to build a dog park in this Reserve

Site Features:










Access & Parking:



Car access to the park via local residential roads, Johnson Parade & Trevor St.

Pedestrian access via local streets/footpaths





Separation or distance from other park users/amenities such as BBQ

There is a children’s playground (unfenced), shelter and seating on the site

Children’s playground to be upgraded in 2017



area, picnic area, children’s playground, skate park



There is no visible water infrastructure on site

Other Issues:


Reserve upgraded to commence in April 2017

Dogs need to be on leash within 10 metres of unfenced playground

Summary:

Advantages:

Established park

Disadvantages:

Not a central location

Local park in residential area

Inadequate space for a dog park

Borders residential properties

No off-street parking, thus potential increase in parking and traffic on local residential streets




SITE 6: SHERWOOD RESERVE SHERWOOD DRIVE, GLENALTA



SHERWOOD RESERVE, GLENALTA


Park Hierarchy:


Location:




Co-location

Proposed site is located at one end of the park, opposite end to the children’s playground (unfenced) and BBQ area

Not easily accessible by car

Sherwood Reserve links to Minnow Reserve

The proposed site is located in a residential area and abuts onto a residential property (northern end)

Good visibility into the site from Sherwood Drive

Space/Size:



Reasonable area for a dog park

Site Features:




Flat site

Existing grass/turf





Access & Parking



Walking trails to Reserve via Sherwood Drive and walk through from Minnow Reserve

Car access to reserve is via Sherwood Drive and Minnow Drive






If this park is found suitable there would need to be separation from the adjacent activities (i.e. playground and BBQ area)





Electricity on site (i.e. electric BBQ and park lighting present)


Other Issues:


Established park

Summary:

Advantages

Established park with existing grass/turf


Reasonable space for a dog park

Disadvantages


Not an easy site to access

Abuts a residential property

No off-street parking, thus potential increase in parking and traffic on local residential streets




SITE 7: SUFFOLK ROAD RESERVE SUFFFOLK ROAD, HAWTHORNDENE



SUFFOLK ROAD RESERVE, HAWTHORNDENE


Park Hierarchy:


Location:




Co-location

Site located on main road (Suffolk Road) and easy to find

Reserve that includes a Children’s playground (unfenced) shelter at eastern section of reserve and a BMX track at the western end of reserve

Creek running through the Reserve which divides the space into 2 distinct areas

Reserve abuts residential properties to the north and west

Good visibility into site from Suffolk Road

Space/Size:



No space for a dog park unless other activities such as the BMX track is demolished

Site Features:








Potential impact on sensitive areas (e.g. wildlife areas & habitats, wetlands)


Access & Parking



Car access via Suffolk Road

Pedestrian access via footpaths and sealed path between residential area from Meadow Ave to the Reserve




Potential dog park users would have to park on the main road (Suffolk Road) which has a bus stop located near the eastern end of the Reserve


Separation or distance from other park users/amenities such as BBQ

The creek line separates the unfenced children’s playground from the BMX track



area, picnic area, children’s playground, skate park


Public toilets, fencing, electricity, water (bore, potable)

There is no visible water infrastructure on site

Other Issues:


Summary:

Advantages

Easy to access

Good visibility into site from the main road

Disadvantages

No space for a dog park unless something else is demolished

Abuts residential properties

No off-street parking and people would have to park on main road to get dogs in/out of car on busy road




SITE 8: HAWTHORNDENE OVAL WATAHUNA AVENUE, HAWTHORNDENE



HAWTHORNDENE OVAL, HAWTHORNDENE


Park Hierarchy

Local, district or regional classification

District

Location:




Co-location

Proposed site is located on the SE corner of Hawthorndene Oval, near the shelter

Easy to find and accessible off a main road

Good visibility into the site from the main road

Located with other facilities

Space/Size:



Not a large area for a dog park

Site Features





Established mature trees on site providing good natural shade

Consultant cannot comment on soil and drainage issues, however, Council’s maintenance staff would have a better idea of any issues that may need consideration. Council has indicated that this site can get boggy at times in wet weather.


Potential impact on sensitive areas (e.g. wildlife areas & habitats)


Access & Parking:



Car access is via local road (Wattle Ave) and Watahuna Ave

Pedestrian access is via internal shared path and adjacent linear paths

Some informal off-street parking off Wattle Street

An enclosed dog park is likely to increase traffic on surrounding local roads given research in SA shows that 68% of people drive to a dog park

Therefore, an enclosed dog park is likely to increase traffic on surrounding roads



If this site is found suitable for a dog park, there will have to be a buffer between the shelter/eating areas and oval



Electricity infrastructure on site

Public toilets located on southern side of Oval near Wattle Street




Other Issues:


The oval is currently used for cricket and Auskick

The oval is a popular dog exercise area (informal)

Summary:

Advantages

District Park with shared facilities

Located in a well-known destination

Easy to find and visible from main road

Doesn’t border any residential properties


Relatively flat site with established trees for shade

Some off-street parking

Disadvantages

Area small for a dog park




SITE 9: ARCHIBALD RESERVE TURNERS AVENUE, HAWTHORNDENE



ARCHIBALD RESERVE, HAWTHORNDENE


Park Hierarchy:

Local, district or regional District

Location:




Co-location

The site is located in Renfrew Drive, which is a no through road (cul-de-sac)

The proposed site is part of a linear reserve bordering Blackwood Forest Reserve. This reserve is an existing off-leash area


Space/Size:



Site inappropriate

Site Features:




Undulating land


Potential impact on sensitive areas (e.g. wildlife areas & habitats, wetlands)


Access & Parking



Car access to the site is via a local road (cul-de-sac)

On-street parking in a cul-de-sac

The increase in park visitors to the area is likely to increase traffic and parking on local streets. Parking is going to be a problem in this area due to the narrow and no through road





No existing infrastructure



Other Issues:


Very large off-leash area in adjacent recreation park in Blackwood Forest Recreation Park

Summary:

Advantages

N/A

Disadvantages

Located in a residential area with no through access (i.e. cul-de-sac)

No direct access and not easy to find


Likely to increase in traffic and parking on local road (cul-de-sac)




CONCLUSIONS The selected sites for this assessment varied from small land parcels in quiet residential neighbourhoods to larger spaces located with other uses in central locations with some off-street parking.

The assessment identified four sites to be more suitable for an enclosed dog park. These sites are not without there issues, but are worthy of further examination by Council via community consultation.

The four sites in order of preference are:

1. Hawthorndene Oval, Hawthorndene 2. Hannaford Park, Belair 3. Blackwood Hill Oval, Blackwood 4. Sherwood Reserve, Glenalta.

The remaining sites including Bailey Reserve, Ossie Goldsworthy Reserve, Suffolk Rd Reserve, Archibald Park and Donnybrook Road Reserve were found to be unsuitable for an enclosed dog park. However, these sites may be worth enhancing overtime to become safe, informal off-leash exercise areas with supporting infrastructure.

In summary, the advantages and disadvantages of the four preferred sites are summarised below:

HAWTHORNDENE OVAL, HAWTHORDENE

Advantages

Central location, easy to find and accessible from a main road

District Park with shared facilities including informal off-street parking and public toilets

Does not border any residential properties


Relatively flat site with established trees for shade

Linear walking trails adjacent the oval

Disadvantages


Off-street parking is minimal

If Hawthorndene Oval is selected for an enclosed dog park, Council will need to consider the following issues:

Adequate buffer between the oval and proposed dog park site

Potential conflict between dog park users and those attending on football match days (i.e. parking)

Additional off-street parking.



HANNAFORD PARK, BELAIR

Advantages

Easy to find and accessible from a main road

Good sized park for an enclosed dog park


Established trees for shade


Disadvantages


Park abuts residential properties

Likely to increase traffic and parking in surrounding residential streets

If Hannaford Park is selected for an enclosed dog park, Council will need to consider the following issues:

Adequate buffer between residential properties and proposed dog park

Provision of off-street parking which will entail significant costs

Potential increased traffic and parking on surrounding residential streets

BLACKWOOD HILL OVAL, BLACKWOOD

Advantages

Located in a known destination (i.e. football oval/clubrooms)

District Park with shared facilities including formal off-street parking accommodating some 60 spaces and access to public toilets

Does not border any residential properties


Established trees for shade near proposed area

Linear walking trails adjacent to the oval

Disadvantages

Is not central



Potential conflict between dog park users and those attending on football training and match days (i.e. parking8)

If Blackwood Hill Oval is selected for an enclosed dog park, Council will need to consider the following issues:

Clarification of encumbrance boundary

Potential conflict between dog park users and those attending on football training and match days (i.e. increased parking and traffic on surrounding residential streets)

8 Site visit was undertaken on a football training day and car parking spaces were almost full.



SHERWOOD RESERVE, GLENALTA

Advantages

Good sized area for a potential dog park

Established grass/turf


Access from a linear path to the reserve

Disadvantages

Located in a residential area

Access via local roads and not easy to find

Abuts residential property


If Sherwood Reserve is selected for an enclosed dog park, Council would need to consider the following issues:

Adequate buffer between residential property and proposed dog park site

Off-street parking

Potential increased traffic and parking on surrounding residential streets

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