Australia's First High-Rise Dog Park

Melbourne is set to receive Australia’s first private dog park in a high-rise apartment complex.

Developer Beulah International has created an exclusive dog park in its new

Gardenhill apartment complex in Doncaster in a bid to encourage responsible dog ownership and apartment living.

Home to 136 one and two bedroom apartments, Gardenhill will feature an enclosed ground floor garden that will permit dogs to be off lead in a secure and user friendly environment.

Beulah International Director Adelene Teh says the introduction of an off lead dog park would draw attention to the issue of pets and the urbanisation of Melbourne.

“Melbourne’s population is growing at an incredible speed and the amount of people living in apartments is higher than it has ever been before. Apartment living should never be seen as a compromised lifestyle and we understand that pets are an important part of many individual’s lives,” she said.

“A big reason behind why dogs are surrendered is because the owner finds themselves in a situation where they are moving to an apartment or home that is not pet friendly and pet ownership is often frowned upon in apartments.”

Ms Teh said off lead areas were quite popular in apartment complexes overseas, with some apartment complexes offering “Yappy Hours” and rooftop dog parks, but dog facilities are yet to be adopted in Australia.

“By offering our Gardenhill residents a designated place they can take their dogs for exercise, socialisation or even mental stimulation, we’re encouraging responsible pet ownership and hopefully paving the way for other developers to follow suit,” Adelene said.

The private off lead area will be equipped with secure fencing, seating, a clean up station and a drink station.

Ms Teh said residents will need to abide by strict guidelines just as they would at any other off lead park, including cleaning up after their dog and being mindful of other residents.

To celebrate the announcement, Gardenhill is teaming up with one of Victoria’s largest animal shelters Pets Haven Animal Shelter, Forever Friends Animal Rescue and PetBarn to host a ‘Dog Adoption Day’ at their onsite display suite on August 22. A professional trainer will be on hand to advise which breeds are suited to apartments and the importance of exercise and mental stimulation.

The dog adoption day will run from 11am to 1pm and will include food trucks, children’s entertainment and stalls by Pets Haven, Forever Friends Animal Rescue and Petbarn. The onsite display suite is located at 5 Elgar Court, Doncaster.

Gardenhill residents who do not have a dog can also enjoy a garden oasis by award-winning landscaper Jack Merlo, featuring a rooftop terrace, teppanyaki barbeque, seating pods, an edible garden, pergola and sun deck, grassed entertaining area and stunning landscaped surrounds.

The Woods Bagot-designed project is currently 80 per cent sold with construction commencing next month.