Have your say on dogs on leads in Williamson Park

A new consultation will gauge opinion on the possible introduction of a new policy which would require dogs to be kept on leads in Lancaster’s Williamson Park.

The park has always welcomed dogs and recognises that owners want the opportunity to allow them off their leads for exercise.

However, in recent years there has been an increase in requests from park visitors, both with and without dogs, that they should be kept on leads. This has led the city council to consider the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Dogs would still be welcome if the PSPO was introduced, but owners would be required to keep them on a lead and under control at all times while in the park, including Fenham Carr.

These restrictions are already in place in many other designated areas across the district, including Happy Mount Park in Morecambe.

Coun Dave Brookes, Cabinet member with responsibility for parks and opens spaces, said: "Williamson Park is very popular with dog walkers and the ability to exercise dogs off leads is probably part of the attraction for many of them. Having said that, it is important that all users of the park, and the resident wildlife, are able to enjoy the park safely. 

“The purpose of this consultation is to gather people's views on what is a fair balance, and whether it would be appropriate to introduce new rules covering all areas of the park. We want to understand how a PSPO would affect park users, be they for or against, and also whether there are any practical alternatives that should be considered."

All of the views expressed in the consultation will be taken into account to help to inform the council’s decision.

In the event it was brought in, a fixed penalty notice of £100 could be issued to anyone in breach of the Public Spaces Protection Order.

• Take part in the survey at www.Lancaster.gov.uk/park-consultation. The deadline for responses is 5pm on Monday September 2.

Last updated: 10 July 2019