Conflicts over Sydney’s off-leash dog walking parks are leaving councils caught in the middle as debate wages over whether more of the city’s outdoor spaces should be converted into pooch-friendly exercise zones.

A section of Mona Vale beach and popular parks in the Bayside and Willoughby council areas are the latest outdoor areas where off-leash dog walking will be permitted as a rise in the number of pets registered in Sydney fuels demand for more facilities for dog owners to let their dogs roam.

Northern Beaches Council will spend $60,000 installing signs and dog waste bins to support a six-month trial of off-leash dog walking at the southern end of Mona Vale beach, enabling dogs to be walked on the beach without leads during designated hours.

Ron Gosling Reserve in Bardwell Park is

See Full Page