Dog walkers gathered at a Brighton park to mark the first repairs carried out by a group of volunteers.
The Withdean Park Dog Walking Community (Withdog) have put in a new fence and gates at what is popularly known as the Withdean Puppy Park.
Yesterday (Saturday 4 June) Councillor Lee Wares went along with his own puppies, yorkiepoos Doogle and Albie, to cut a ribbon and help the volunteers celebrate.
He praised the community spirit of Angela Cox, who chairs Withdog, and her fellow volunteers and said: “This is a great example of a community coming together to look after a space for the benefit of everybody.
“I’m grateful for all this hard work and to the council for working with the committee to make this happen.”
Community work to retain the fencing at Withdean Park started last month after park users petitioned the council in March.
Two of the most popular gates have just been replaced. They were paid for by individual donors after a JustGiving campaign which comfortably exceeded its £1,200 target within 30 days.
A group of volunteers will complete further jobs around the 1,000-metre fence with a Brighton and Hove City Council ranger.
The date to replace some of the rotting fence posts is set for Sunday 26 June. Anyone wanting to register their interest to pair up and learn new skills and meet new friends during the supervised activity sessions can contact the organisers on Facebook by clicking here.
A membership drive is also under way before the inaugural Withdog AGM and Social on Thursday 28 July at the Ladies Mile function room from 7.30pm.
Membership costs £5. Click here for more information.
Angela Cox said: “Please come along and support us by joining and sharing your ideas. We really want this to be a community venture, planning decisions that truly benefit all park users.”
Amazing – this council finds millions to pay for cycle lanes
Now we just need a campaign for dog owners at the puppy park to clear up after their dogs. Its a shame the fence wasnt removed, as its an excuse for poor dog owners to let their dogs run around out of control jumping on people and knocking over children.