Proposal for a secure off-lead Dog Exercise area for Renwick (Dog Park) prepared by. Jane Buckman and Sue Macdonald. May 2017

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1 Proposal for a secure off-lead Dog Exercise area for Renwick (Dog Park) prepared by We wish to speak to this submission Jane Buckman and Sue Macdonald. May 2017 Background: Why has getting to here taken so long? In 2015 s Long Term Plan submission process we spoke to Councillors highlighting the benefits to both Dogs and their Owners of access to and use of enclosed Dog Exercise Parks. We highlighted that through the newly formed Renwick Smart and Connected (RS&C) and in consultation with our Ward Councillors, Dog Park site identification work had again commenced in Renwick. The Dog Park concept however was not a new one in Renwick having been raised in previous Long Term Plan submissions made by the Renwick Residence Association and supported by a resident s Petition. So in 2015 a non-sports field site within the boundaries of the Renwick Domain, was identified as meeting the criteria for a successful fenced dog exercise area. However as we were to later learn, this space within the Domain was already contracted by MDC as part of the December - January 2016/17 Scout Jamboree site and therefore was unavailable for use on our project. Further site investigations recommenced, again through RS&C and with further consultation with our Ward Councillors and MDC s Animal Control Committee. A suitable replacement site was identified located at Foxes Island, an area that like the Renwick Domain still met the needs of the Renwick community and the criteria of providing facilities in small town communities. This site was championed in our 2016 submission to the Annual Plan. We identified that; the Foxes Island Road site was good for Renwick s dog owners, their dogs and offers synergies with infrastructure currently located on and near this site (SPCA and Bike/Walk pathways) and the physical benefits of this particular landscape (wind breaks). Suggested Foxes Island Road Dog Park Layout (2016): North 1

2 The proposed Foxes Island Road site, due to its past use as Renwick s Rubbish Dump, is listed with central government as a HAIL site. Therefore a Preliminary Site Inspection report (PSI) was required to establish the state of the clay capping sealing the area and level of soil contamination, if any. PSI investigation work was approved by MDC in July A report by Mark Davies of Sustainable Environmental Engineering Ltd. was produced for MDC in August 2016 and this report was released as a public document in January Further investigations are now underway as a result of the Report s recommendations. This exploratory work will take time to complete. Bringing us to April 2017: And still no Dog Park in Renwick. Again with the aid of our Ward and Animal Control Committee s Councillors, everyone set out to find a solution to overcome the enforced delay in establishing use of the Foxes Island Road site. MDC now have the opportunity to lease a plot of vacant land abutting the Renwick Domain, but accessed from Inkerman Street North, and in our opinion offers the perfect interim solution. This land, Lot 3DP343153, No 8 Inkerman Street, is 0.51Ha of empty, flat, grassed paddock that is fully fenced. Fencing consists of high deer fence wire on the eastern boundary with the Renwick Domain, regular farm fences on the northern and southern boundaries and a solid high timber planking fence along the boundary with No 10 to the west. The southern boundary of the paddock has a stand of poplar trees (on Domain land) offering a measure of additional wind break. Refer detailed photos and a proposed layout on the following pages. Overview of the Renwick Domain, Giesen Centre & Dog Park access from Inkerman Street (No 8 highlighted with a black arrow). 2

3 N DOG PARK SITE ABOVE: Enlarged view of available lease land and the access for Renwick Dog Park, No 8 Inkerman Street (Giesen Centre building in lower RHS). BELOW: Looking south along eastern boundary with Renwick Domain towards Giesen Centre. SOUTH 3

4 Below: View from eastern boundary (deer fence) along southern fence to the west (solid wood). WEST NORTH Above: View along the northern boundary (No 8 LHS of fence) across the parking area towards existing sealed, double lane, driveway access from Inkerman Street north. 4

5 Below: An Overview of the Renwick Domain & Giesen Centre relative to No 8 Inkerman Street. Dog Parks (enclosed exercise areas) of various shapes and sizes are a common and successfully operated feature found throughout the country. Therefore there is no expectation of needing to experiment to get a functioning layout. The knowledge also exists within other Councils and with their Staff on what constitutes a quality Dog Park exercise area and these good design practices are reflected in our proposed layout. The proposed layout on page 6 shows what could be achieved with minimum development cost. Photographs provided on pages 7-9 show details of an interlock gate system as shown in the layout drawing, an example of a water dispensing/drinking fountain and Doggy Do stations that is a rubbish bin and bag dispenser station for use in Dog Parks. The owners of the abutting property, number 10 Inkerman Street, who share the driveway access into No 8, (see photo on page 4), have been visited and have no objection to the Dog Park proposal. There is a water supply point available on site, marked on proposed layout, page 6. 5

6 Dog Park Layout for No 8 Inkerman Street Renwick April

7 Example of a Dog Park water station, dual use for Dogs and Owners, located on a hard drained surface, which could be bark, gravel or ideally a concrete square. 7

8 8 Detail of entry gate air lock construction

9 Overview of a Dog Park air lock double gate entry, Doggy Do bag dispenser station & rubbish bin structure. While we are aware that MDC s Animal Control Sub-Committee has funding to allow the development of this Inkerman Street site to commence, a facility such as a Dog Park is not without some ongoing costs such as; weed control, grass mowing, doggy-do bags and site maintenance of rubbish bins. However these activities are all regularly undertaken next door at the Renwick Domain, located beside this site. Therefore securing Council s commitment to on-going operational budget funding is essential and one of the reasons we have submitted again and will return to speak before you. We had identified a site at Foxes Island that is good for Renwick s dog owners, their dogs and offers synergies with infrastructure currently located on and near this site and the physical benefits of this particular landscape. However as this site comes with delays while land use issues are addressed, #8 Inkerman Street finally offers us an opportunity to have a functioning Dog Park space operational within the next few months. We, through our RS&C Committee have with the help of our Councillors arrived at a practical, workable, cost effective solution that allows Renwick s Dog Park development to finally go ahead. Please give this undertaking your support. 9