New Dog Recreation Strategy

This engagement has finished and all input is being reviewed.

Willoughby City Council has many parks and public spaces providing important recreation and social opportunities for the community, including residents with dogs. We're currently developing a Dog Recreation Strategy which seeks to encourage dog recreation while balancing the needs of other park users and the environment. The Strategy will help Council better manage our parks and public spaces in an effective and equitable manner for community benefit, recreation and enjoyment by all.

Who we'd like to hear from to help develop the Strategy

Council is seeking input from everyone to develop the draft Strategy. We'd like to hear from the whole community (dog owners and non-dog owners) about how you currently use our parks and public spaces as well as your ideas or suggestions how dog recreation in these areas could be improved or better managed into the future.

Existing dog off leash and Wildlife Protection Areas 

Willoughby City Council has a number of designated dog off leash areas (purple pin in map below) and Wildlife Protection Areas (green pin on map below) where restrictions apply to dog recreation.

How to get involved

You can have your say and provide your ideas and suggestions in any of the following ways:

• Online: Complete the online survey below.
• Email: email@willoughby.nsw.gov.au
• Post: Willoughby City Council, PO Box 57, Chatswood 2057

The survey closed on 12 November 2025.

Attend a community drop-in session

Speak with a member of the project team, ask any questions and provide feedback:

• Thursday 23 October 2025, 4.30pm - 6.30pm
  O.H. Reid Reserve, Reid Dr, Chatswood West
  
  
• Saturday 25 October 2025, 10.00am - 12noon
  Artarmon Reserve, Burra Rd, Artarmon (near the sports field)
  
  
• Saturday 25 October 2025, 1.30pm - 3.30pm
  Willoughby Park, McClelland St, Willoughby
  
  
• Thursday 30 October 2025, 4.30pm - 6.30pm
  Northbridge Park, Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge (near the sports field)

Next steps

Engagement closed on 12 November 2025. All feedback will be reviewed in detail and used to inform the preparation of a draft Dog Recreation Strategy. The draft Strategy will also take into account the context of dog recreation in our area and other relevant information. The draft Strategy will then go on public exhibition for final community feedback before being reported to the elected Council for adoption. Everyone who provides feedback in this engagement will be advised by email when the next stage of engagement is open for comment.