An activity centre for dogs

@JudyEv (389046)
Rockingham, Australia
August 14, 2026 4:26am CST
Within an easy walk from our retirement village is this dog park situated within a larger area of some natural bush and grassed areas. There are two fenced areas: one for large dogs and one for smaller dogs. The photo shows the area for smaller dogs but the obstacles are much the same in each. Dogs in Australia are supposed to be on a leash at all times but in these fenced-in areas, they can be allowed to run freely. You often see obedient dogs off the leash chasing frisbies or balls in the larger spaces but generally speaking, dog owners are very good about obeying the rules. The photo is mine.
19 people like this
21 responses
Toni
@toniganzon (81741)
• Philippines
14 Aug
That's really nice. I wish we have one here so I could bring Danie and Yuki to enjoy and have fun. They would love jumping over the obstacles.
5 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Aug
The dogs do enjoy being allowed to run freely.
4 people like this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (15446)
• Ireland
14 Aug
@JudyEv I wish I could say the same about Irish dog owners. We have lots of big, obvious notices at the sea front forbidding unleashed dogs but no-one takes any notice. Everyone thinks their dog is an exception.
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Aug
We still have problems but mostly people are pretty good. These signs were in Ireland, not about leashes but about picking up after your dog.
2 people like this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (15446)
• Ireland
14 Aug
@JudyEv Pity we still need such signs. I think a lot of people only pick up if there’s other people around.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
@xFiacre People go up and down past our place and don't know I'm watching. So far I haven't seen one not pick up. They all have their little green bags but that doesn't mean they always use them.
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (129592)
• United States
14 Aug
The dog parks here are fine for dogs to be off leash, and for the most part no one has problems there. I don’t ever take my dog though as she is just not friendly to other dogs. I’ve never seen a dog obstacle course though.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
The little dog over the roads is a bit picky about who he mixes with too. lol
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (505330)
• Italy
14 Aug
Also here in Italy, as well as in Switzerland, dogs are supposed to be on a leash at all times. The dogs parks are fenced, so that dogs can be left free inside those parks.
3 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (505330)
• Italy
14 Aug
@JudyEv - They love, I see how happy they are when they can run freely.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Aug
They do enjoy being able to run around freely.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
@LadyDuck There were two in the 'big dogs' yard this morning and they were playing chasey and having a great time.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54705)
• United States
14 Aug
It looks like a nice dog park.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
It's a nice amenity to have in the area.
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (141180)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Aug
Our leash law is defined as under control. So if you train well that is considered a leash. But even when I have trained that thourghly I used a leash in public
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
I think you're wise. It's just not worth the risk to have something happen.
1 person likes this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (194629)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Aug
It's good that they obey the rules. Dogs do need to run free bit also on a leash when out and about.
1 person likes this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (194629)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Aug
@JudyEv .......they need to feel free occasionally.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug
@celticeagle That's for sure.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
They all like to get off that leash from time to time.
1 person likes this
changjiangzhibin89
@changjiangzhibin89 (17310)
• China
14 Aug
Dogs 'chasing frisbees or balls is a lot of fun to watch ! It is great ! you live within easy reach of the dog park .
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
There were two there this morning playing chasey. They were having so much fun. I think that, once they got home, they would sleep the rest of the day! lol
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (57580)
• Canada
14 Aug
That is a really nice big area for a canine obstacle course. Our son used to have one for Ellie at another house that they lived at. Poor Ellie isn't doing well these days, the mass in her tummy is really causing her a poor quality of life. My husband suggested to him that of course the vet offered to operate, although removing a cancerous tumour isn't going to extend her life for long at the age of 13 years, and it will line his bank account handsomely, but it is time for him to think of Ellie. He told him that he wanted to talk to me about it, he knows how close I am to Ellie.
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (57580)
• Canada
15 Aug
@JudyEv Him and I discussed it a few months ago. But there was still hope then, and that is no longer the case from what I understand. I suggested to him that she has lived a good and full life and he should consider her best interests as far as ending her suffering. It is not easy, but necessary. I told him that he will never ever forget her.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
I hope you're able to decide in her best interests. It's not for me to say but at 13 I see no point in an operation and possibly a painful recovery.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (178970)
• United States
14 Aug
Is Vince good when you let him off his leash?
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (178970)
• United States
15 Aug
@JudyEv I hope you told him about your discussion and my comment.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
@DaddyEvil Umm - no.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
He has been known to run amock from time to time. I keep a close rein on him nowadays!
1 person likes this
Baconstripsxxx
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (19026)
• West Haven, Connecticut
14 Aug
That sounds like a really nice setup for the dogs and for their owners! Having a dog park within easy walking distance must be especially convenient, and I like that they've separated the large and small dogs. It probably makes things much less intimidating for the little ones.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Aug
I like the separation of the sizes too. I'm not sure it's used a lot but you do see dogs in the enclosures.
2 people like this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (47433)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Aug
I ride past lots of dog parks. It's always fun to see the dogs having fun inside!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Aug
Some dogs really 'smile'. With the little ones especially, the ears and tail are all over the place. Here's one (Benny) catching a frisbee.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
@teamfreak16 I love the four paws off the ground.
1 person likes this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (47433)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Aug
@JudyEv - Benny is having the time of his life!
1 person likes this
Jim
@Ineeddentures (30255)
•
14 Aug
That looks like a really nice area to take your dog to Judy
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
It seems to get a lot of use.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug
@Ineeddentures Dozens of owners walk past with their dogs each day.
1 person likes this
Jim
@Ineeddentures (30255)
•
15 Aug
@JudyEv Lots of dogs live there I would imagine
1 person likes this
Michael
@Wrexxo (8898)
•
14 Aug
I think that all dogs are supposed to be on a leash..that way, we can guarantee the safety of other people
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Aug
If they're out of the enclosures they need to be on a leash.
2 people like this
luisadannointed
@luisadannointed (13336)
• Philippines
27 Aug
That's cool to know. I bet the dogs are very happy they have a space to play.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Aug
The ones I saw were having a great time.
rebelann1949
@rebelann (118792)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Aug
We have similar rules here unless you happen to go way out where there is still undeveloped desert terrain, sadly there isn't much of that left these days
1 person likes this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (118792)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Aug
That's understandable @JudyEv often farmland will have livestock on it as well and stray dogs have proven to be much more dangerous to livestock than wolves.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
Loose dogs in our farmland areas aren't welcome either.
1 person likes this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (91295)
• United States
14 Aug
That's cute..where I live Judy the people here worship dogs..there is everything you name it for them.
1 person likes this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (91295)
• United States
16 Aug
@JudyEv Same here..not farm girl but we had dogs ..so different to nowadays
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
Being a farm girl, some, to me, seem to go overboard about their pets.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (88432)
• United States
14 Aug
That is so sweet of them to have that. I hope the residents don’t try chasing their dogs around that park…it is a retirement village, after all.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
It's outside the village so for the use of all in the area. You see so many dogs I think every second dwelling must have one.
1 person likes this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (101284)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Aug
How wonderful for th dogs looks like a nice place for them,
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug
They do have a lot of fun together.
1 person likes this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21490)
• London, England
15 Aug
Love the idea of a playground for dogs!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389046)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Aug
The day after taking the photo, I saw t two playing chasy in the 'big dog' area. They were having an absolute ball.
1 person likes this