Dog park on ADIF land

5 July 2021

The area needs a dog park

We lack this type of facility in Benalúa, the southern gateway and Ensanche-Diputación. The nearest dog parks are too far away to use regularly. It is odd that the recently adopted by-law on animal ownership, welfare and protection sets out the features and rules for dog exercise areas in detail without explaining how they should be distributed across the city.

We gave the proposed location careful thought. It is away from homes to avoid disturbing residents, although proper maintenance and strict opening hours should prevent any problems.

A large dog park close to the centre, as proposed here, could be another attraction for visitors. More and more services cater for tourists travelling with their pets. A park with a distinctive design would show a modern city that cares about animals many people love. That is a positive image for the city.

A dog park is also a place for people to meet and get to know one another. It could even help the neighbourhood economy, because the many people who use it can also become customers of nearby cafés, restaurants and other businesses.

At the request of the Socialist group on the council, an institutional declaration was put forward on 27 May 2021 calling for the transfer of ADIF’s land opposite the Harineras mills on Avenida de Elche. The aim was to create a large dog park, giving local people access to a facility that is important for the health of an estimated 6,700 dogs.