Get ready to unleash the hounds, with the gates at Lake Albert Dog Park at O'Halloran Park reopening on Wednesday 11 June, following works to strengthen the durability of the new turf at the popular facility.
The park at the northern end of Lake Albert was closed to the public in early May to allow Council to carry out the turf improvement works, designed to ensure the grassed area is maintained through the winter months and into spring.
This involved the large, turfed area of the dog park being over-sown with a cool-season grass type.
Council's Team Leader Parks Operations (Open Space) Ben Nimmo is pleased with the strong growth of the new rye grass.
"The warmer weather we experienced during May and the lack of frosts really helped the new grass establish well in amongst the kikuyu turf," Mr Nimmo said.
"There is a small area around a large agility ramp where the seed has not established as well we'd hoped, but overall, it's been a positive result.
"While the temperatures have started to drop with the arrival of winter, the rye grass has now developed a strong enough toehold to be able to thrive under the cooler conditions.
"We're confident it's ready to do its job of bolstering the kikuyu grass, which goes dormant and dries out over winter, making it more vulnerable to wearing away under the high level of paw and foot traffic the park experiences."
Council thanked the community for their cooperation and patience as the improvement works were carried out.
"We know how much our local residents and their dogs love all the improvements we made during the major revamp of the dog park last year particularly the new turf," Mr Nimmo said.
"While we understand the park's temporary closure was an inconvenience for some, we think they will appreciate it's been worth it when there's still grass for them and their dogs to run around on over winter, and especially when the turf comes out of dormancy in spring."
