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by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

Southwest Ōtautahi dog owners could be in for a treat

Environment

Aimee Stanton
HalswellQuarryParkDogDistance CCC 04062025
The new dog exercise area will build on the current space.  Christchurch City Council

Halswell Quarry Park is undergoing improvements to its dog exercise area due to a significant increase in furry visitors.

Currently, the southwest has no controlled environment for dogs to play off leash.

HalswellQuarryPark CCC 04062025
The proposed improvements also include new walking tracks and native bush. Christchurch City Council

Head of Parks Rupert Bool says the community has been requesting that changes be made to the way dogs are managed in the area.

“Halswell Quarry Park is a popular community space, used by lots of different groups of people – including people with dogs.”

The proposal will build on the current dog exercise area, incorporating the lower field, and a new area towards Kennedys Bush Road.

“We’re proposing to fence the exercise area to help separate different park users and accommodate the increasing number of people with dogs using the area.”

An area for native forest and two walking tracks is also a part of the Quarry Park's improvements.

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The proposed improvements are an attempt to continue the growth of park users. Christchurch City Council

A new dog park is also in the works, with council staff investigating the best location.

Bool says the demand for dog-friendly spaces is increasing as urban living in the area grows.

Locals are encouraged to express their opinion on what they want to see from this proposed dog park.