BMA to open a second park for city dwellers to take their pets for some much-needed exercise

Images of what the new dog park, which will be a part of the Bang Khuntien Public Park, located on Bang Khunthian Chai Thale Road, will look like. Graphics courtesy of the Environment Department

For dog lovers, it's nice to have a local park where owners can take their four-legged friends for some off-the-lead fun. But it would be even better if owners were more responsible for their pets when they use the park.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), realising the growing demand, is opening a second dog park which will be part of the Bang Khunthian Public Park, located in Bang Khunthian Road, where our canine friends can play freely without wearing a lead.

The Environment Department overseeing the construction and management of the park is looking for a project contractor, said a source close to the BMA, adding a budget of 115 million baht is in the process of being approved.

According to the source, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi won the contract to design the park, which will hopefully open by the beginning of next year.

Under the plan, the public park will cover around 37 rai of land that will include a learning centre for mangrove ecosystems and land development, and a dog park covering a total of three rai.

The park will have a bike lane with a footpath, an outdoor space for recreational activities, a playground and pavilion and a management building. Facilities will include a parking building for cars and bicycles, and toilets.

The park will also have lighting, an automatic watering system for plants and a modern water supply system, according to the source.

The plan for the new dog park which will be a part of the Bang Khuntien Public Park, located on Bang Khunthian Chai Thale Road. Graphic courtesy of the Environment Department.

The agency also plans to set up two more dog parks in the city -- one in Bung Nong Bon in Prawet district and another in a public park in Soi Phetkasem 69 in Bang Khae district.

"It would be great to have more dog parks in the city where well-behaved dogs and their owners can exercise and play. Dogs need exercise and a place to play. Taking our dogs for walks in a park would be good for them as well as their owners," said Nitinuch Nuchnaka who raises poodles.

She urged owners to look after their dogs and use the facilities in the park responsibly, saying owners should pay attention to their pets and help maintain the facilities when they are using the park to ensure every one is happy.

Ms Nitinuch said dog park projects often face criticism as residents usually raise concerns about noise and health and safety risks that such facilities could bring to their neighbourhoods.

Ms Nitinuch said she wouldn't mind if dog owners are charged for using the park, saying a well-maintained dog facility requires money.

Plan of the new dog park which will be a part of the Bang Khuntien Public Park, located on Bang Khunthian Chai Thale Road.

The Bangkok Dog Park project is a social policy under former Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra's administration. It is aimed at promoting physical and emotional health for pets and their owners.

Located on Vacharapol Road, the first dog park, Watcharaphirom Park, received an overwhelming response from dog owners who use the park, prompting the BMA to set up one more.

After its soft launch in Feb 2015, the BMA had expected the park to attract around 60 people to register their dogs as members in the first month, but the facility drew around 600 members in the first month alone. Presently, there are over 6,100 dogs registered as members at the first park.

The park does not only appeal to city residents but it has also attracted attention from people living in nearby provinces such as Chon Buri.

At the Watcharaphirom Dog Park, members can take their pets to receive vaccination and microchip implantation services at eight animal clinics supervised by the BMA free of charge.

To become a member, dogs must be vaccinated and implanted with a microchip which monitors the location of the animal when using the park and reunites them with their owners if they get lost.

However, dog owners are required to strictly follow park regulations. Membership would be immediately terminated if an owner fails to follow regulations.

Dogs must be on a lead when entering and exiting the park. Dog owners must carry a lead, monitor their dogs and keep them in view at all times.

The owner must clean up after his or her dog and immediately place droppings in specified areas.

The park is open daily from 5am through 9pm. All breeds of dogs including pit bull terriers and Rottweilers are allowed inside the park, according to park authorities.

Before the launch of the first park, the former governor eyed part of Chatuchak Park to allocate for dogs. However, the idea wasn't successful because many felt uncomfortable exercising in a park where dogs are also allowed.

The source said the area where the park was ultimately built is ideal for a dog park as Vacharapol is easily accessible. On top of that, the area is located not too close to any community which could upset local residents as some people are intimidated by dogs.

Dog owner Thanutchaporn Wannapakorn, 33, urged the BMA to promote its new dog park among residents. Ms Thanutchaporn, who lives in the Vacharapol area, had not known about the dog park situated near her community.

"Having a dog park near our village is a dream come true. I will take our pet for walks there and let them play. They would love it," she said.

Ms Thanutchaporn who supports the idea of constructing another dog park in the city said the facility will help promote the health and well-being of pet dogs as many city dwellers who have dogs have space constraints so their dogs usually have to be kept on a lead.

And if the second dog park is a success, dog owners across Bangkok will be keeping their fingers crossed for more dog parks in the future.