Dogs can continue to run free in one small Wilson park, but are prevented from doing so at another, Canning council decided this week.
The council has reacted to calls to make the playground at Judy Pannell Reserve safer by requiring owners to keep dogs on leash.
That has been the case for a short time as part of a trial but on Tuesday night the council committed to keeping it that way.
However, owners will be able to let their dogs run off leash at nearby Fern Place Park, which until last year’s trial was not allowed.
But a containment fence will not be built around the dog exercise area because of fears it would stop turtles, water birds and other wildlife from moving between the Canning River Regional Park and the Water Corporation drain.
Judy Pannell Reserve had been an off-leash area for more than 20 years but when the playground at the park was redeveloped in 2021, it became far more popular with families and children.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, Cr Mark Bain said the new rules would improve the experience and safety for users at Judy Pannell Reserve while not disadvantaging local dog owners, given Fern Road Rark was less than 50m away.
Council staff also noted nearby Alderley Park provides an off-leash area, as does the much-larger Wilson Park less than 1km away.