Halswell Quarry Park could soon have a larger, fully fenced dog exercise area, in a plan Christchurch City Council says will improve safety for people and pets, protect sensitive wildlife areas, and make rules easier to enforce.

The Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board will decide on Thursday whether to approve a new concept plan that would relocate the existing off-leash zone from the lower paddock to a new site on the western side of the valley floor, near Kennedys Bush Road.

The proposed space would be about 3,000 square metres bigger than the current exercise area and located closer to the Cashmere Road car park.

It would be fully fenced, with gates and materials chosen to match the park’s heritage landscape.

Council staff say the changes are needed after a sharp rise in visitor numbers at the park in recent years, leading to more off-leash dogs in prohibited areas, dogs running through picnic zones, and cases where other park users have been injured.

Rangers have also reported lost dogs, dog fouling across the park, and difficulties enforcing leash rules under the current layout.

The new design would include:

• A compacted walking path inside the fenced dog area

• An extension of the existing accessible track to complete a 2km loop for people with mobility needs

• A dog wash station, drinking fountain and waste bin

• Removal of the unused horse arena to create a kahikatea forest planted by volunteers

• Fencing to stop dogs entering the conservation wetland area, which is off-limits to protect wildlife

The kahikatea forest is part of the city’s Urban Forest Plan and would be planted in stages over several years. Council staff say the area is often too wet in winter for other uses and can pose a fire risk in summer when the grass is long.

Public consultation ran from 4 to 29 June this year, with 254 individual submissions and two from recognised organisations. Almost half (48 percent) supported the plan, 14 percent somewhat supported it, and 38 percent opposed it.

Halswell Councillor Andrei Moore told chrislynchmedia.com “this kind of mixed response suggests we’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t and that it would be good to come up with a sensible compromise if we can.

“Each new build in Halswell pays development contributions towards regional parks with the Quarry Reserve being one of those. This means not all upgrades at the Quarry Reserve have to be funded through rates.”

“The facility should be accessible and safe for all users and continue to be enjoyed by all current users” he said.

Supporters said fencing would make the park safer for children, those afraid of dogs, and dogs themselves, as well as help separate dogs from cyclists and walkers.

Opponents raised concerns about reduced open space, cost, and whether the changes would solve the problem of irresponsible owners.

Some also worried the site could be too muddy in winter, and others wanted dogs to have more freedom to roam and sniff around trees and bushes.

Suggestions from submitters included:

• Creating separate areas for large and small dogs

• Adding more signage for on-lead and off-lead areas

• Planting more trees and vegetation inside the fenced area

• Installing additional bins

  

  Graphic: Christchurch City Council

The Halswell Residents Association “somewhat supported” the fencing but said the pond should be excluded due to toxic algae concerns, and that the space should be split for different sized dogs.

The Christchurch Singletrack Club backed the fencing, saying it would reduce conflicts with cyclists, but wanted to keep the proposed kahikatea forest area available for event parking.

Council staff say the fenced area will still be accessible to all park visitors, not just dog owners, and the layout will make it easier for Animal Control to enforce leash rules. They also say the project responds directly to years of feedback about managing dogs at the quarry.

The work would be funded from the Regional Parks capital budget, the Urban Forest Plan budget, and possibly the Council’s Accessibility Improvements Fund. Costs are estimated at $60,000 for fencing, $130,000 for the accessible track, $150,000 for other track work, and $60,000 for the kahikatea forest planting.

If approved, the project will be staged over several years, starting with the fencing and the wettest walking track areas.