By Luke Voogt
Groodle puppy Carter and labradooble Tommy are among “hundreds” of pooches going barking mad for a new enclosed dog park in Belmont.
“They absolutely love it,” their human companion Sarah Thomas said.
The Highton mother-of-three was at the park with her children and fur babies on Monday, and has visited three times a week since it opened on June 5.
“Today’s the quietest I’ve seen it,” she said.
“Most times it’s absolutely packed – there are 50 dogs in there, if not more.”
Initially, the park was “lovely and green”, Sarah said.
“It’s definitely getting muddy at the moment, so I’m not sure what they’re going to do about that, but there were some people doing maintenance today.
“It’s a massive hit because the amount of people that want to come is huge. It shows a massive demand for these sorts of facilities.”
Sarah said the park had been fantastic for socialising and exercising her dogs.
“Placid and laidback” puppy Carter had enjoyed snuggling up to people, she said.
“Every single person, he goes up to them for cuddles.”
His older adopted brother Tommy, on the other hand, preferred meeting canine companions.
“He will just go mental in there and run around like crazy,” Sarah said.
State government provided $225,000 for the dog park, with Geelong council contributing another $15,000.
“It’s no surprise to see this facility become a community favourite straight off the bat, with hundreds of greater Geelong residents visiting … each week since it opened,” Kardinia ward councillor Ron Nelson said.
“While the park is a great place to exercise your dog, it has also become an important public space for community members to connect socially outdoors with other like-minded pet owners.”
