Site Analysis - Fenced Dog Park Locations - Lambton · Site Analysis - Fenced Dog Park Locations - Lambton Options Report - Revision C 19/06/2020 SITE CONTEXT Lambton is located approximately

Site Analysis - Fenced Dog Park Locations - LambtonOptions Report - Revision C 19/06/2020


PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Dog in Open Space Plan (DOSP) was adopted by Council in March 2019. The Plan identified a need for additional dedicated off leash areas based on the outcomes of the community engagement. During the preparation of the DOSP it was found there was a gap in the provision of dog off leash areas. A number of recommended locations throughout the Newcastle LGA were chosen based community feedback, even distribution and a selection criterion that ensured sites were suitable. Lambton Park was one of the sites recommended for a fenced, off leash dog park.

Up until the publishing of the DOSP, Newcastle had no fenced dog parks. Acacia Ave Dog Park in North Lambton was completed in December 2019 and has become extremely popular, with people from outside the suburb regularly visiting the park. The strong demand and positive feedback from the community on Acacia Ave Dog Park has led to the City of Newcastle (CN) to start planning for additional fenced dog parks. This study will further consider concept design options for a new fenced dog park to be located in Lambton, acknowledging previous studies and community input received during the development of the DOSP.

STUDY SCOPE

As a result of previous community consultation, there was strong support from the community for a fenced off-leash dog park to be located in Lambton Park. Council resolved on 26th March, 2019 to ‘further engage on fenced off-leash areas at Lambton Park with all stakeholders / park users to occur and alternative locations within the area are considered’. The purpose of this study is to reevaluate Lambton Park as the preferred location as chosen in the DOSP against other suitable alternatives within the Lambton area.

newcastle.nsw.gov.au

Dogs in Open Space Plan

PLANNING POLICIES & GUIDELINES

A number of planning policies and guidelines documents are to be referenced for this study. These include;

• NSW Companion Animal Act• City of Newcastle Dogs in Open Space Plan• City of Newcastle Parkland and Recreation Strategy• Lambton Park Plan of Management • Unleashed: A Guide to Successful Dog Park (SA Gov)

The key relevant aspects of each of the documents are outlined below;

NSW Companion Animal Act Dogs are prohibited;• Within 10 metres of playgrounds and play spaces.• Within 10 metres of food preparation areas for

humans.• In recreation and sport areas as defined by the local

authority.• Places used for bathing (including beaches) defined

as prohibited by the local authority.• Places set aside by the local authority for the

protection of wildlife.

City of Newcastle Dogs in Open Space Plan• Off leash areas are to be at least 0.3ha in size and

fenced dog parks shall be minimum .05ha.• Fences to be minimum 10 metre setback from

residential lots.• Fencing is to be safe for dogs and provide

permeability and passive surveillance.• Signage will be provided where dogs are prohibited

or required to be on leash in a sporting reserve, beach or high profile public spaces.

• Facilities will be of a quality that will sustain use by dogs, including sound and functional surface, basic infrastructure including bins, drinking water for dogs, natural shade and landscaping.



REVIEW BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES

WESTON PARK, ACTOne of Canberra’s newest and most scenic dog parks which has been well received by locals.

Key CharacteristicsType: Enclosures for large and small dogs.

Facilities: Spacious enclosures, benches, drinking water, art and play elements

Shade: Generous tree planting will provide ample coverage

Speers Point, NSWLocated in Lake Macquarie ths 10,000m2 dog park is an extremely popular attraction within the Speers Point recreation precinct.

Key CharacteristicsType: Single enclosure for all dogs

Facilities: Drinking water, benches, agility stations, shelters

Shade: Trees around perimeter and shelters

Shale Hills, NSWLocated in the Western Ridges parklands of Sydney, the recently completed dog park is regarded as a state of the art dog park.

Key CharacteristicsType: Off leash area, enclosures for large and small dogs

Facilities: Spacious enclosures, drinking water, play elements

Shade: Shelters and an array of established tree areas

Features: Off-leash area, a dog activity circuit, sensory garden, separate runs for small/shy and large dogs, integrated within a broader recreational park

Muirhead, NTLocated in a new residential subdivision in Darwin, this dog park takes advantage of the large expanses of open space associated with storm water management devices. It is the first dedicate dog park to be built in Darwin

Key CharacteristicsType: Off leash area, enclosures for large and small dogs

Facilities:Drinking water, play elements

Shade: Shelters and new tree planting

Features: Off-leash area, dog play elements, landscaping


SITE CONTEXT

Lambton is located approximately 7.5km from Newcastle CBD. The western portion of the suburb is elevated and provides distant views of the city. The remainder of the suburb is relatively flat, making it possible to house a large number of sporting fields. The suburb is well served with open space with the large number of sports fields, Lambton Park, local parks and off-road cycleways linking to parks and open space beyond the suburb of Lambton.

Lambton is generally bordered by the major arterial roads of the A15 (Griffith and Newcastle Road) in the north and B63 (Turton Road) in the east. The southern boundary is defined by Russell and Lambton Road while the vegetated ridgelines associated with Jesmond Park forms the western boundary. The A37 arterial road (Croudace Street) dissects Lambton and effectively creates a west and east divide within Lambton (refer to Figure 2)

PREVIOUS CONSULTATION

An extensive process of community consultation was undertaken during the development of the DOSP (https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/getmedia/fc6de54f-8ea3-48d3-a483-901b0b7b8f83/3371-Dogs-in-Open-Space-Plan_WEB.aspx). Of particular importance to this study was the number of respondents from Lambton and the strong desire for a fenced dog park to be located in Lambton, with Lambton Park identified as the most preferred location. Some common statements from the community that will help inform the location and design of the designated dog park include;

• Overwhelming majority of respondents drive to off leash dog areas.

• Parks close to people’s homes are most sought-after as additional dog exercise areas.

• Conveniently located dog parks could form part of people’s daily exercise routine rather than an excursion by car.

In addition to previous targeted dog park consultation, the CN regularly survey the general public about their overall satisfaction of parks, playgrounds and pools. In the latest 2019 Quarterly Community Survey Report, there were a large number of comments relating to the need for designated dog off leash areas. Again, the desire for a dog park in Lambton was raised by community members.

While the intention of this study is to seek community input on the preferred location and design of a fenced dog park in Lambton, the study will also consider community sentiment raised in previous surveys and studies.

Figure 2 - Local scale context plan (photo source: Nearmap) Images of Lambton

Figure 1 - Regional scale context plan (photo source: Nearmap)

Newcastle CBD

Blackbutt Reserve

Jesmond Park

Lambton Study Area

Lewis Oval

Rudd Park

Armstrong Park

Gwydir Park

Regent Street Park

Kentish Oval

Ford Oval

(A37

) Cro

udac

e S

treet

Johnson Park

Lambton Park

(A15) Newcastle Road

Lambton Village


PARK SELECTION

The parks within Lambton were assessed against the DOSP Site Suitability Criteria as described in the table below.

DOSP Dog Off Leash Site Suitability Criteria

Focus Criteria

Profile and Access The site should be central to the population, accessible to vehicles and pedestrians and be easily seen and known by the community. However, dogs off leash may not be appropriate at high profile sites (due to potential impacts on the site character or other uses)

Size The area available for dogs off leash must be at least 0.3ha in size and the whole site should be at least double this size to allow for other uses, support infrastructure and landscaping

Character Suitability The site must be public open space with an open reserve or park character. The site must not be a sports ground or a natural area

Impacts on People Potential impacts on residents and other reserve users must be minimal, including no risk to children and adults playing sport, walking and cycling, using a play space or pursuing other recreation activities.

Impacts on Site Character There should be minimal impact on the visual appeal, landscape and function of the reserve due to the dedication of an off leash area or the inclusion of a fenced dog park. This includes ensuring any potential future enhancements to a reserve for recreation, sport or linear connections are not affected by a dog off leash area.

Impacts on Natural Environment

Sensitive natural environments should not be impacted on. This includes site with high biodiversity and environmentally sensitive natural watercourses, wetlands and coastal vegetation, endangered ecological communities and threatened species habitat.

As a result a number of parks were deemed unsuitable based on the criteria as shown in the corresponding table below.

Site Suitability Criteria Assessment Results

Park Profile and Access

Size (m2) Character suitability

Impacts on People

Impacts on Site

Character

Impacts on Natural

Environment

Consider as

Option?

Armstrong Park 19,500 Yes

Ford Oval 29,000 No

Gwydir Park 5,700 No

Kentish Oval 29,200 No

Lambton Park 13,600 Yes

Lewis Oval 19,000 No

Johnson Park 17,400 No

Regent Park 3,100 No

Rudd Park 6,900 No

Figure 4 - Selected parks location plan (Photo source: Nearmap)

Selected park areas

Suitable

Unsuitable

Table 1 - Site suitability criteria

Table 2 - Parks site suitability assessment

(A37

) Cro

udac

e S

treet

(A15) Newcastle Road

Armstrong Park

Lambton Park West


PARK ASSESSMENT

Nominated Park Suitability Criteria Assessment Results

Park Profile and Access Size (m2)

Character suitability Impacts on People Impacts on Site Character Impacts on Natural Environment

Lambton Park West

• Excellent access to the Park from all sides.

• Ample on street parking. Winter sport will impact neg-atively on parking in the area. Risk of off leash users parking in pool carpark reducing the capacity for pool users in the summer months.

• Park is well known by local community and wider resi-dents in Newcastle LGA.

• New shared pathways have been constructed around the periphery of the site allowing for further connections to be made in the future.

6,000 • Site is open space with a park-land feel. Further tree planting and landscaping will only en-hance the area. Not a Sports-ground. Not a natural area.

• Sightings of dog owners already using the space for off leash walking.

• Currently no built infrastructure on the South corner. Area is open space and not used for formal recreation.

• Potential for junior sport to be played between Society of Arts and the bridge across the culvert which can be managed with the inclusion of a fenced off leash site.

• Need to ensure the unique character/heritage of the Park is maintained.

• Cycleway on edge of park.

• There is no doubt that site character is important to many residents when it comes to Lambton Park. Consider-ations around detailed design ele-ments may need to be considered. Path colour should match existing shared paths and fence design could relieve some of that pressure though will increase costs.

• There are some specific infrastructure elements which should be consistent across all dog parks however such as shelters, drinking fountains and bin enclosures.

• No impact on environmentally sensitive areas. Site has no ‘natural’ watercourse, no endangered habitat.

• Ficus sp. lining Howe Street must be considered in the design as well as any future plans for the nat-uralisation/enhancement of the concrete culvert between Lambton Pool and the proposed area.

• It is important that the park does not impact on current underground stormwater services as this could cause potential issue if maintenance is required.

Armstrong Park

• The site has reasonable parking along Armstrong Street although this may have overflow from the school or be a site for pick up/drop off for Lambton Public School. Would not expect the site to be well known except by immediate residents.

19,500 • Not sportsground nor a natural area although it does fall with-in the Jesmond Park bushland buffer zone.

• Site is open space community land.

• Site slopes down from west to east.

• Site is bounded by a local public school to the east.

• Site has residential boundaries on the north side.

• A path runs downslope from Armstrong Street to the school.

• Site would be enhanced by upgrading of facilities.

• No habitat trees and no sites identified for poten-tial trees.

• Trees on site could be incorporated in the design.• The site has a watercourse running through the

lower part of the park.• Potential contamination

The table below summarises the results of an assessment of the two nominated parks conducted by CN internal stakeholders as part of this study (May 2020).

Table 3 - Nominated parks site suitability assessment


LAMBTON PARK ANALYSIS

Public toilet

Fitness equipment

Bubbler

Dedicated events space

Historical monuments

Bus stop

Signalised pedestrian crossing

Line-marked pedestrian crossing

Park entry

Pedestrian bridge

Major pedestrian path (2.5m wide)

Minor pedestrian path (1.5m wide)

Pedestrian desire line

CIRCULATION & ACCESS

PVEHICLE ACCESS & PARKING

P

PP

Public parking

On-street parking

Public access

Authorised / maintenance access

VEGETATION

Mature Fig tree

Eucalyptus tree groves

Creekline native planting

Street tree planting (Tuckeroo & Crepe Mrytle)Ornamental / cultural treesNative shade tree planting

TOPOGRAPHY

Gently slopingDirection of fallDrainage line

Lambton Pool

Lambton Bowling Club

Harry Edwards Oval

Tennis Courts

Tea Rooms

Playground

Elder Street

Karoola Road

Howe Street

Mor

ehea

d St

reet

Durham Road

Library

Society of Artists

PARK FEATURES PLAN

Rotunda

Cricket nets

Proposed dog park location

**


ARMSTRONG PARK ANALYSIS

PARK FEATURES PLAN

Fence

Park bench & water point

Armstrong Street

Crou

dace

Stre

et

Lambton PublicSchool

Charlton Street

Concrete pedestrian path (1.2m wide)Pedestrian desire lines

School entry

Bus stop

On-street parking

School pedestrian crossing40km/hr school zone

School drop-off / pick-up zone

Native trees with native grass understorey

Mix of native trees

Drainage swale Concrete culverts

Low point Medium / gentle slope

Direction of fall Steep slopeL

TOPOGRAPHY

L

L

VEGETATION

VEHICLE ACCESS & PARKINGCIRCULATION & ACCESS


LAMBTON PARK WEST OPTION PLAN

Indicative dog park area

OPPORTUNITIES

• Utilise the existing excellent pedestrian / cycle network

• Investigate and work with Hunter Water Corporation to integrate proposed drain naturalization project to create a ‘natural’ edge to the dog park.

• Utilise existing pool car parking for overflow parking, particularly during the winter period when the pool is closed.

• Improve east / west connectivity through the site by including a new pedestrian path along the current desire line.

• Take advantage of the shade canopy trees along the western edge by having dog park in close proximity to the trees, without impeding on the structural root zones.

• Potential for new access to be created to informal parking area near pool.

• Utilise the flat open space area.• Introduce additional tree planting to provide shade,

habitat and better define precincts within the overall Lambton Park.

• Setback dog park from edges of road and paths to allow for landscaping to help maintain the high visual amenity and mitigate any negative impacts on residents overlooking the park.

CHALLENGES• Site is within a designated flood zone.• The existing pedestrian and cycle paths are

frequently used and increased visitation from the dog park may cause conflicts.

• Existing tree structural root zones will dictate location of dog park elements such as fencing, paths, shelters and car parking.

Shared use path running adjacent to Howe Street under the Fig Tree canopy

View south of the proposed dog park area

View west from pool car park towards the proposed dog park area

6,000 m2


ARMSTRONG PARK OPTION PLAN

Indicative dog park area

OPPORTUNITIES

• Large cleared open space with scattered trees allows for large dog park to be located with little limitations.

• The park is not frequently used and there is plenty of space to mitigate conflicts between dog park and general park users.

• The sloping site does not make it an attractive space for general kick about and recreation and a dog park would be good use of the site.

• Elevated portion of the site provides excellent views to the east and good vantage point for seating and shelters

• Additional paths associated with the dog will improve overall connectivity through the park.

• A dog park will attract more visitors and activate the park.

• There is ample space for future expansion if required

CHALLENGES• Not well connected with paths• Sloping site will make it difficult to achieve disable

compliant access and connectivity• Possible conflicts during busy school drop off and pick

up times• The sloping site will potentially increase construction

costs achieving level pads for any off-street parking, paths and structures.

• Existing tree structural root zones will dictate location of dog park elements such as fencing, paths, shelters and car parking.

• The park is not centrally located within Lambton and Croudace Street is a significant barrier.

Pedestrian path leading to the rear school entry

View to the north east from Armstrong Street with a section of native grass understory in the foreground

View to the south east across the gently sloping open space

7,300 m2

Documents

Site Analysis - Fenced Dog Park Locations - Lambton · Site Analysis - Fenced Dog Park Locations - Lambton Options Report - Revision C 19/06/2020 SITE CONTEXT Lambton is located approximately