MACLEAY PARK & MYRTLE PARK

PASSIVE PARK USE OPPORTUNITIES

On behalf of Boroondara residents that frequently use Macleay and Myrtle Parks to exercise personally, their families and pets (dogs), we are seeking confirmation or clarification from the Council on the passive park use opportunities, the rights and obligations of residents and park users.

Current Issue

Macleay Park is designated as an off leash dog park.  Myrtle Park is NOT designated as an off leash dog park.  Macleay Park Ovals 1 and 2 have lights which are operated during winter evenings.  

The Boroondara Eagles Football Club conducts soccer training on these ovals (Ovals 1 and2) most weeknights.

As Macleay Park Ovals 1 and 2 are fenced off and away from main roads (such as Belmore Road and Buchanan Ave), many dog owners use these ovals to enable their dogs to exercise safely and away from traffic.  Furthermore, these ovals are considered suitable for the exercise of dogs and family members due to the operation of the lights in the evening, thereby providing safety and security to residents that may feel unsafe exercising in unlit areas of the park.

However, the competing interests of the Boroondara Eagles Football Club and dog owners for the same facilities has resulted in recent conflict between members of the public and members of the football club (player’s families, coaches and club officials).

We understand that pursuant to the Myrtle and Macleay Park Management Plan 2018, where the ovals are not booked to 100% capacity, there are other opportunities for passive usage.  As the Boroondara Eagles Football Club conducts training in certain sections of the oval (mainly the center of each oval), other park users should be able to access the perimeters of these ovals provided that they do not interrupt the enjoyment of the oval by the players.

This has been discussed with members of the football club, however the response has been that the football club has exclusive access to these ovals from 5.30pm onwards and that other users must vacate the ovals entirely.  

Certain members of the football club have also insisted that the dogs be put on leash in the open park areas between the two ovals and nearest the pavilion building.

In order to avoid future conflicts arising, we are seeking clarification of the following :

1.      Confirmation that the Boroondara Eagles Football Club has access to these ovals from 6pm onwards, and that other park users have access to these ovals until that time;

2.      From 6pm onwards, other park users are able to access parts of these ovals not being used by the Boroondara Eagles Football Club; and

3.      Macleay Park is an off leash dog area and that the open areas between and surrounding the ovals are designated as such.

Alternative Proposal

In the event that the Council restricts the passive use of Macleay Park, the residents and users of this park requests the Council to consider the re-classification of Myrtle Park to an off leash dog park.  Myrtle Park is not as heavily utilised by sports clubs and players, is often empty and Myrtle Park East Oval benefits from the lighting overspill from Macleay Park Oval 2.

The Council’s response to the above is kindly requested and will be shared with the Boroondara Eagles Football Club to ensure that there is an understanding of the rights of every resident and park user to prevent conflicts arising and an escalation into a potential physical confrontation situation.