Pawsitive Steps: New Dog Park at Ormeau & North Belfast's Clean Streets Push

Exciting news for dog owners and their furry friends! A brand new dog play area has officially opened its gates in Ormeau Park, providing a wonderful, safe, and welcoming space for dogs to play and socialise, and for owners to relax.

Located conveniently near the Indoor Tennis Centre and Ozone Complex, this fantastic facility boasts a range of play equipment – some creatively upcycled from old playground apparatus – a much-needed water supply, and comfortable seating for owners. To ensure everyone has a good time, there are two separate enclosed areas: one for smaller dogs and another for medium to large breeds. This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Concert Social Levy scheme, which cleverly reinvests income from major events held in parks back into local communities.

The opening of this dedicated dog park is part of a broader push to encourage responsible dog ownership across Belfast. It ties in with the refreshed awareness campaign, aptly named ‘Take the Lead – Bag It, Bin It!’, aiming to tackle the persistent issue of dog fouling in our shared spaces.

We know the vast majority of dog owners in North Belfast are incredibly responsible, but a small minority can unfortunately impact everyone. To address this, dog warden patrols have been increased in known 'hotspot' areas, guided by feedback from residents like yourselves. What’s more, you might spot new dog fouling awareness messages proudly displayed on Street Cleansing vehicles right here in North Belfast! Our friendly cleansing operatives across the city are also now wearing "Ask me for a Dog Poo Bag" badges and are happy to provide a bag if you ever find yourself caught short while out walking your dog.

As Councillor Fred Cobain, Chair of the People and Communities Committee, highlighted, "Our ‘Take the Lead – Bag It, Bin It!’ campaign is all about collective responsibility. We’re investing in cleansing, education, and enforcement, but we really need your support too – by reporting issues, we can make an even bigger difference together."

Leaving dog waste behind is an offence, and anyone who fails to clean up after their dog can face an £80 fixed penalty notice, which is reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days. In more serious cases that go to court, offenders could face a fine of up to £1,000. Remember, dog waste can be placed in any public litter bin or your household black bin. If you spot an incident of dog fouling, please report it online; your reports are crucial in helping to target enforcement and cleansing efforts effectively across the city. Let’s all do our part to keep North Belfast clean and enjoyable for everyone!