Walking your pooch around some of Puketāpapa’s parks and reserves will be different from later this year, with new rules for where pups can roam on or off-leash set to come into force.
The changes come following the dog policy, bylaw and regional and local park access rules consultation earlier this year, which asked for views on dog access across Auckland.
Six Puketāpapa parks and reserves featured in the consultation: Freeland Reserve, John Moore Reserve, Monte Cecilia Park, Smallfield Reserve, Underwood Park and Walmsley Park, with proposed changes from off-leash to on-leash, and vice-versa.
Following on from the public engagement, the Puketāpapa Local Board has decided that five of the six locations will be changing:
Parks changing from off-leash to on-leash:
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Monte Cecilia Park: bowl area changing to on-leash. Also, the local board will explore a suitable fenced dog exercise area for the park.
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Underwood Park
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Freeland Reserve
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Walmsley Park: Except in the area between Sandringham Road Extension, Oakley Creek and the entrance to (but not including) Sheppard Avenue accessway.
Parks changing from on-leash to off-leash:
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Smallfield Reserve
No change
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John Moore Reserve
Local Board chair Ella Kumar says the changes reflect the need to provide a safe environment for all park and reserve users, people and family pets.
“We want our community to feel safe when enjoying our many picturesque parks and reserves. Our decision to change locations from off-leash to on-leash will ensure these locations are more accessible for all park users.
“We have changed Smallfield Reserve to a full off-leash area, as this provides an opportunity for our community with family pets to enjoy.”
The changes are expected to come into effect from August 2025.
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