Over the last 12 months we’ve observed and analyzed the interactions within dog parks. These include: dog-dog, dog-human and human-human interactions. How many Landscape Architects and other open space designers consider dog behaviour in their design process? We go further than the commonly reported human conversations and connections made in dog parks to incorporating dog

    DO WE NEED A NEW BALL GAME FOR DOG PARKS? Recently, we gave a presentation at an animal management conference in Adelaide. The focus of our presentation was on a new type of recreation park – enclosed dog parks and the need to integrate both dog and humans needs. Here are some of

Balancing Act Adelaide have been contracted to develop Dog Park Guidelines for the Dog and Cat Management Board of SA. We are looking forward to working with the state government, the Dog and Cat Management Board of SA to produce guidelines to assist Councils, designers and developers in the planning, design and management of enclosed

  Recently Fiona De Rosa and Kylie Fergusen of Balancing Act Adelaide were invited to present a paper at the APA Conference, May 2013, Adelaide. This is a great opportunity for us to talk about our pet subject; engage with local councils regarding the complexities of planning, designing and managing enclosed dog parks, and illustrate

                            How are Dog Parks being designed in Victoria? Over the last few days, Balancing Act Adelaide: Pet Friendly Planning had the opportunity to visit two off-leash dog parks in the City of Whittlesea, Victoria: Dog Park at Lynadarum Wetlands, Manor House

Balancing Act Adelaide is a consultancy specialising in Dog Parks and Pet Friendly Planning. Fiona De Rosa and Kylie Fergusen are two urban planners who share a passion for building stronger links between planning, companion animals and responsible pet ownership. Together, we have undertaken research (Australia and overseas) and audited various dog parks in Adelaide.

“Pet Friendly” is a term that is slowly creeping into our everyday language. This term refers to our companion animals, in particular our dogs and how they integrate into community. The term is used in a range of settings such as: identifying if companion animals are allowed in places such as: apartments, rental properties, aged

Today, I walked my dog E.B. to our local park.  The park is a shared park which means that dogs are allowed off-leash at specified times of the day (i.e. early in the morning and late in the evening). The park is a generous size, houses a kids playground and is fenced on 3 sides

In a recent article, Dr Kersti Seksel highlights that: “dog parks can be very challenging environments for dogs. Although it appears to us, as people, that dog parks are great, this is not the case for every dog … Every dog has different play styles, social skills and experiences around other dogs. In addition, many

Urban planning and design has traditionally focused on the human need. However, a new urban resident is emerging – man’s and women’s best friend, which we need to accommodate. With the rate of pet ownership being one of the highest in the world with almost 36% of Australian households owning a dog (Australian Companion Animal