The dog owners of NSW ask the Hon. Rob Stokes, MP, and the Greater Sydney Parklands Board, to make the majority of Callan Park Off-Leash, with Companion Animal Management Plans for the whole park.

NSW dog owners need Off-Leash parks, and we urge the minister to approve the following for Callan Park in Rozelle:

• Unrestricted Off-Leash space (for sociable, well-trained dogs which are the majority
• Gated and fenced Off-Leash Space (for puppy training and unsociable dogs)
• Clearly signed On Leash space (e.g. around playgrounds, the Bay Run)

This is urgent! New concept designs for Callan Park will to be drawn up in the next few months. Please sign our petition today!

And join our Facebook group

Why Callan Park should be primarily Off-Leash

Callan Park is 60 hectares of tranquil green space in Sydney. It is currently officially On-Leash in all areas, apart from a time-share arrangement on three Council managed sports grounds, which are used by sporting groups most of the time. Significant community pressure has resulted in the majority of Callan Park being used Off-Leash for decades, regardless of the rules. This use of the parklands as an Off-Leash precinct is overwhelmingly accepted by the community and meets the needs and desires of the local population.

We therefore request that when the detailed concept designs are drawn up in the next few months, they make the green spaces of Callan Park an Off-Leash Precinct. Other parks within the Great Sydney Parklands have extensive Off-Leash areas. For example, Sydney Park is Off-Leash at all times, except the wetlands, Alan Davidson Oval, CARES facility and the playgrounds. Centennial Park is 43% Off-Leash.

Off-Leash areas in Callan Park are vital for the physical and mental health of dog owners and their dogs. Exercising dogs Off-Leash enriches their lives, ensures they learn to socialise, and helps them to be calm and quiet at home during the day. Many older Australian’s elect to own dogs to ward off loneliness and find socialising in Callan Park with dog owners an essential part of their well-being, especially in a COVID-19 world.

The Inner West LGA has a very high rate of dog ownership. 35,000 dogs live within the Inner West LGA and 42% of households own a dog (source: The NSW Companion Animals Register). It is also public knowledge that the rate of dog ownership increased significantly during the pandemic. Dogs help people stave off loneliness, stress and depression during these difficult times, living with COVID.

Act now! Give our doggies a voice in the NSW Parliament.

Please sign this petition today, and join our Facebook group  CallanParkDogLovers