Goodwood Private Dog Park; rural, fenced, 15mins from WGTN CBD near Tawa
BRAND NEW!
**Note: App uses US dollars at moment (not ideal). US$10 is about NZ$17**
Takapu valley's a quiet hidden rural gem just off SH1 at Tawa, only 15mins from Wellington CBD - a secret spot not many know.
The winding road follows the stream up this scenic historic valley bringing you back to the present moment before you arrive at our peaceful spot beside Takapu Stream. Take your time meandering up and you'll feel a change of focus and mood. Take a deep breath, you're now ready to spend time with your canine best mate - they will feel your mood lift & respond to it. We hope you enjoy the time.
Our river flat creates a large natural flat area to run, with a variety of terrain, & a couple of small swimming holes to explore along the stream (bring some raw meat if you’d like to try luring up a tame eel). If your dog has a scenting nose, there is heaps to occupy them - especially hunting through the flax/banks for rabbit smells & being a wolf. It’s super cool watching our dogs roam and explore freely.
Maybe bring a picnic/thermos and find a quiet spot or picnic table for yourself beside the stream and just unwind. On a sunny day there are some idyllic private spots, esp in the bottom corner across the stream under the small bluff. Keep an eye out for wild mint, healthy watercress, & other stuff you're welcome to forage.
** EXCESSIVE BARKING **
Dogs that constantly bark can’t be here. Some barking is understandable, but endless barking is not OK for my neighbours and this space. Dog breeds can be very different, and also if they're alone or herding their mates, so there are options. We'll send you some tips on booking. This is important.
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* FENCING: standard 8 wire stock fencing and forms the perfect natural play area. Good for most dogs, but keep a long lead on if you have doubts.
* PARKING: park INSIDE our road gate to the left, off the driveway. Leads must be on before exiting vehicle until you're inside the paddock. Be stock safe. Ideally only 1 car, 2 at most.
* STOCK SAFETY: There won't intentionally be stock in the dog area unless the gate was left open (they pounce on the grass there). We do farm, so some beautiful Speckle Park steers occasionally visit the road gate area but they’re placid, inquisitive and safely non-aggressive. Walking towards them, or driving slowly forward, will push them away (esp if you raise your arms or make a tssh tssh tssh sound). They’re cool animals to just hang out near in their own right. You probably won’t see our sheep, they're extra chicken.
Across the road are horses, if your dog reacts to these you can’t be here in a rural space either, I don’t want my neighbours loosing sleep. I reserve the right to ask anyone to leave and block if I have complaints. Pitbull types or aggressive dogs aren’t appropriate here. If unsure, use a long lead initially (and better, a muzzle) and monitor your dog.
We put the cattle in to trim the grass, so there may be a bit of cattle pooh about sometimes. Most dogs love this experience (& many use as a probiotic for gut health), but the stream is handy for a wash if they get overly happy!
* NATURE CALLING: Sometimes you just need to go - all the water flowing past, or a cool day. So you're welcome to do human ‘bush’ wee's if urgent, but if it's discrete, not in the river or where others would stand. Definitely no human waste or number 2's unless you can bag it yourself lol.
* CELL COVERAGE: there's a black spot in the lower valley as you drive up, but there's coverage at our location.
* SAFE TIME BUFFER: No need to worry about meeting other dogs when leaving because we have a minimum 30 minute buffer period between bookings to remove this risk. So please use all your time. Please don't come early and wait.
* TRIAL. We're doing this as a trial, having recently learned how many dogs and people don't feel safe, or have been traumatised, in public dog areas. Please respect sharing our space and limit impacts. Fortunately I think most dog people are decent folk and we're keen to support. If there's anything we can do to improve or add to help people, we're all ears, please let us know. Thank you, Enjoy!
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