Our beautiful canine friends come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities, and that’s exactly why we love them. But when it comes to meeting other dogs down at the park, some personalities mix better than others.
Jenkins Reserve in Salisbury Park has come up with a clever solution to give your furry friends the perfect time outside with zero worries when it comes to ruff interactions.
A trial period is currently open until September this year, and will allow individual dogs and their owners to make the most of a solitary park session between 2pm and 6pm, seven days a week.
No bookings needed, just turn up and take your turn. If someone’s waiting, try to keep your visit to around 20 minutes so everyone gets a fair go.
“The trial was as a result of community request and petition for a single use dog park in the area, inspired by a park in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield,” said a City of Salisbury representative.
The push for a single use dog park at Jenkins Reserve began with a community petition driven by local dog owners who needed safer, more controlled spaces for their pets. A lot of these dogs are reactive, anxious, or have special needs that make regular off-leash dog parks unsuitable or even dangerous.
“By trialling this option, we hope to support a broader range of dog owners and provide a safe, controlled environment that meets the diverse needs of our community and their dogs,” the representative continued.
The petition quickly gained strong local support, with many residents backing the call for a dedicated trial. Fast forward to now, and the single use dog park trial is well and truly underway!
While this is a pawsitive step, the final outcome of the space is dependent on how well the space is used during the five-month trial. Ongoing community involvement and feedback will play a key part in securing the future of the initiative.
“The council is collecting community feedback on the trial via an online survey, to understand how the space is being used, and overall user experience.”
If you’ve already tried it out, or you’ve got something to say, drop a line in the Your Say form by 5pm, 30 September.
The park is expected to provide a wonderful opportunity for dogs to gain confidence in a low stress environment, and similar South Aussie initiatives have absolutely proven worthwhile.
Another initiative, the Dog Scentsory Garden, at Woodville West caters to puppies still getting used to play, older dogs, and anxious dogs. This park offers a peaceful space for calm, controlled exploration, giving owners the joy of watching their dogs grow in confidence, one sniff at a time. It’s a similar story for the single use park at Jenkins Reserve.
“At this stage only one reserve has been identified for trial, with Council considering the community feedback before any further decisions are made on continuing or expanding the service.”
The park appears to be a great initiative for dogs that need a calmer, more controlled environment, and now it’s over to you. If this space makes a difference for you and your dog, make the most of it and let the City of Salisbury know. Community feedback during the trial will help shape what happens next, so every voice counts.
Please be respectful when using the space: take turns, clean up after your dog, and stick to the guidelines. The success of the trial, and the possibility of a permanent single use dog park, depends on how well it’s used and supported by the community.
What: Jenkins Reserve Single use dog park trial
Where: Jenkins Reserve, Saints Rd, Salisbury Park
When: Trial runs until September 2025
To have your say, click here.
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