Currently dogs have to be on a lead at all times when walking in Queen’s Park, North West London. Whilst lead walks can be sufficient exercise for dogs, nothing can replicate the stimulation and joy they experience running free of restraints. 

The Pitch & Putt area caters primarily to golfers, of which there are very few in the area. Those who do golf in the Pitch & Putt tend to do so only in good weather conditions. 

By contrast, there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of local dog owners who take their dogs for walks in Queen’s Park on a regular basis - come rain or shine. Before Covid-19, 24% of the UK population were dog owners - that has now increased significantly. The Kennel Club have seen a 180% increase in enquiries from potential dog owners whilst the RSPCA has seen a 600% increase in visits to its puppy fostering pages and pet insurance providers have noted a 78% increase in people registering new pets in the week prior to UK lockdown. 

It would be amazing to have the Pitch & Putt area as a space where we are allowed to let our dogs run free and enjoy themselves. This would of course be under the proviso that dog owners who use the area are responsible and pick up their dogs’ mess.

This would give so much value to dogs in our local area, and would utilise green space that is otherwise under-used.