Botanic gardens remain dog-free

Horsham Botanic Gardens will remain a dog-free zone after a Horsham Rural City Council assessment of a month-long survey.

The council attracted 419 responses to the survey, which asked whether dogs should be allowed ‘on lead’ and ‘on path’ in the gardens.

It reassessed the policy after a Horsham resident, with support of the municipality’s Domestic Animal Advisory Committee, requested an examination of the rules.

Councillors considered the survey responses at the council’s June meeting and resolved that in line with the balance of survey responses, dogs should remain banned in the gardens, including on leads or on paths, for the foreseeable future.

It also asked for more explanatory and visitor-friendly signs at the garden to convey the message.

Two key questions in the survey asked respondents to agree or disagree with the statements ‘dogs should be allowed on lead and on paths in the botanic gardens in Horsham’ and ‘dogs should not be allowed in the botanic gardens in Horsham’.

In both question scenarios, responses weighed in favour of dogs not being allowed in the gardens.

The survey also asked for respondents to include statements explaining their position.

Arguments for allowing dogs in the gardens included: We take our dogs everywhere, why not the gardens?; It’s a good, safe place for small dogs, as opposed to off-leash dog parks; It encourages people to get out and exercise. Arguments for not allowing dogs in the gardens included: How do you manage dogs or owners who do not follow the ‘on leash, on path’ rule and who will police it?; The botanic gardens playground is the only place in Horsham parents can take their children where there are no dogs; Dogs are allowed everywhere else.

The council also sought advice from council staff members in charge of maintaining the amenity and safety of the gardens.

Mayor Mark Radford said the outcome was a positive example of the council engaging with the community.

“The survey was run during February and March and we thank all those who offered their comments,” he said.

In addition to many on-lead walking trails across Horsham, the council also has designated off-leash dog areas at Weir Park, Central Park, Lions Park, Jenkinson Reserve and Langlands Park.