Paws off Monte Cecilia Park!2 min read
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A group of dog lovers in Hillsborough are fighting their local board after a popular off-leash area at Monte Cecilia Park was changed to on-leash.
Jonathan Sweeney takes his 10-month old Springer Beagle, Cwtch (meaning ‘cuddle’ in Welsh and pronounced ‘Kutch’) to the park daily, and says the change removes crucial space for dogs to run and play.
“Only about 25% of the park is off-leash and it’s not enough for energetic dogs,” he says.
After learning of the decision in February, Jonathan joined a Facebook group, Dog Lovers of Monte Cecilia, and helped lead a campaign opposing the move. “We submitted a petition with 1,000 signatures and 88% opposed the change, but we were ignored.”
Puketāpapa Local Board chair, Ella Kumar, says the decision followed a five-week consultation and aims to make parks safer and more accessible.
“We considered community needs, green space benefits, and park maintenance,” she says.
She says the board is considering a fenced dog exercise area, but Jonathan is totally against this idea.
“Some dogs may be dumped in the fenced area and owners could be less attentive, assuming the fenced area means it’s safe to let dogs roam unsupervised.”
Jonathan says the new rules don’t only affect dogs, but people too. “I love going to the park as Cwtch loves to run and socialise with other dogs who are also out with their owners that time of the morning. It’s good for my mental health having the freedom to go and watch the sun rise and reflect on my tasks for the day,” he says. “I know several other people feel the same way I do.”
Although neighbouring Smallfield Reserve has changed to a full off-leash area, dog owner, Zara Moselen says, “Smallfield Reserve lives up to its name – it’s small. There is no rubbish bin, no walkway, no water fountain and no fencing along a busy road. It’s so small, Google maps doesn’t even recognise it as a green space. How is this going to work? The thousands of dogs that currently enjoy running at Monte Cecelia are going to be at many other parks, and over crowding will create far more issues.”
The changes are expected to come into effect from August.
