Dog paddock opens in park charging ?10 for off-lead exercise
A "secure and enclosed" dog paddock has opened in Crawley[1]'s Tilgate Park[2] to allow dogs to run off-lead. The paddock, named Tilgate Park Hound Ground, will act as a safe space for dogs to run freely, which is forbidden in other areas of Tilgate Park including around the lake and on the main lawn.
To use the paddock, which only allows for six dogs per session, owners must pay a £10 fee which grants them use of the area for 55 minutes. The space spans across 0.8 acres and is located behind the Walled Garden.
From September 1 last year, dogs have had to be kept on leads in Tilgate Park after a controversial Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was put in place. It means owners face fines for not adhering to the PSPO in the park, aside from the perimeter path which is not covered by it.
Crawley Borough Council has said that the secure space will be "ideal for off-lead training" and allows for dogs to exercise in a safe place. The fence around the area is 4ft high and surrounded by "overgrown plants and nettles" which the council say will discourage dogs from escaping.
The council has also said that the paddock will only be accessible through a combination lock with the number set to constantly change. The nearest car park will be the main car park used by all Tilgate Park visitors.
For those wanting to use the paddock for their furry friends, there is a booking system on the council website where payments can be made. Dog owners will have to select a date and time and cannot just turn up at the facility.
Councillor Chris Mullins, Cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing at Crawley Borough Council, said: "The Hound Ground is a great addition to Tilgate Park and provides dog owners with a secure location to exercise their pets."
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References
- ^ Crawley (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
- ^ Tilgate Park (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
- ^ The Crawley suburb where households earn more than anywhere else in Sussex (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
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