The sun was shining and tails were wagging as the community came together to celebrate the official opening of the brand-new South Jerrabomberra Dog Park. The launch event drew an enthusiastic crowd of dog lovers, families, stakeholders, and local representatives, all eager to explore this exciting new space. Now open to the public, the expansive park is shaped like a giant bone and sports two separate play areas for small and large dogs with brand-new agility equipment and lush, irrigated grass. The park is the perfect place for pups to play and socialise, forming part of a network of lifestyle spaces covering more than 70,000 square metres across the heart of the suburb.

The morning began with a warm Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country delivered by Deputy Mayor Esma Livermore, setting the tone for a day grounded in community and shared connection. Guests then heard from several key speakers who championed the project including Rob Fisher, VBC CEO, Kenrick Winchester, Mayor of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and Minister Steve Whan, Member for Monaro. Their words reflected the importance of community spaces like this one — places where people and pets can come together to connect, play, and thrive. The formalities were concluded with a ribbon cutting conducted by Mayor Kenrick, officially opening the park.

The pups were the stars of the launch show, of course, but there was also plenty for their owners to enjoy. Dog-friendly stalls, quality coffee, baked goods, and food van classics were all on the menu. Across the event, attendees enjoyed a lively festival-style atmosphere. Local food vendors, partners, and stallholders lined the park, offering treats, information, and activities. Music filled the air, while families took part in meet-and-greets, snapped photos with their pups, and picked up free tote bags and dog treats to mark the occasion.

Throughout the day, the park buzzed with happy dogs exploring the new facilities—running, sniffing, socialising, and sampling the dedicated play spaces designed just for them. The excitement was infectious, cementing the park as a future favourite for residents and visitors alike. Canine experts from across the Canberra and Queanbeyan regions were on hand all afternoon, ready to offer their advice and connect with local dog owners.

Bark Busters master trainer Philippa Dakin ran a free behavioural advice session, and the shelter recovery charity Dogs Canberra had plenty of information to share on fostering and adoption.

One of the standout moments of the morning was the impressive demonstration by the ACT Companion Dog Club (@actcompaniondogclub). Their team delivered a paw-some obedience show, showcasing incredible skills and delighting the crowd with performances that had both humans and dogs captivated.

The opening marks a significant milestone for the South Jerrabomberra community. More than just a recreational space, the dog park represents a place for connection—where neighbours can meet, dogs can play safely, and the community can enjoy time outdoors together.

We’re thrilled to have officially opened this vibrant space and look forward to seeing it become a beloved hub for our two-legged and four-legged friends.