Dunleath dog-only area appeal

Dunleath dog-only area appeal

27 August 2025

A CALL has been issued for an area dedicated for the use of dogs to be provided at Dunleath Park in Downpatrick.

The suggestion has been made by local councillor Conor Galbraith in the wake of concerns about dogs being allowed to roam free by their owners and not kept on a lead.

His preferred location for the fenced off area is adjacent to the new £500,000 urban sports which opened recently at the sprawling park.

The ultra-modern facility features a pump track for cyclists and a skateboard park and is located at Dunleath Park and been described as a cutting edge facility.

The investment in an 80-metre pump track, incorporating a dynamic series of banked turns and undulations — alongside a state-of-the-art 400 square metre skatepark — has been provided by the Department for Communities and Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

There are also plans to transform the current shale sports pitch at Dunleath into an ultra-modern 3G facility, with the walking track around the perimeter of the park proving hugely popular and the base for the weekly Saturday morning parkrun.

Now Cllr Galbraith wants a dedicated area for dogs to be provided and believes this would provide a safe and practical space for dog owners, while addressing growing concerns about dogs being off-lead in shared community areas in the town.

“The new urban sports park has been a fantastic addition to the area and is already being well used by families and young people,” he said.

“But alongside that, I think we need to be realistic about some of the challenges that come with shared spaces. Over recent weeks, I’ve received a number of people raise concerns about dogs being off-lead and the risks that come with that.”

Cllr Galbraith argues a fenced-off area for dogs would give owners a safe and secure place to exercise their pets, while ensuring children, families and those using the sports ground can do so without worry.