It’s virtually standing room only at Blackheath’s fenced dog park after council removed more than half a dozen outdoor chairs that had been donated to the park for the comfort of dog owners.
The chairs were deemed a “public liability risk”, according to council but their removal was “bureaucracy gone mad”, according to owner Brodie Alexander.
“We didn’t know they were going to take the chairs – they should have given us warning,” she said.
The chairs, all-weather seats made of metal and mesh, had been well used in the park. There were at least six used regularly plus a couple which were broken.
A council spokeswoman confirmed that some chairs, including some broken chairs, an old kids pool and a small amount of timber left in the shelter were all removed “because the items presented a public liability risk”.
“Also, it is often the case that seemingly discarded items attract rubbish dumping in public places.
“The chairs had not been formally donated to the council for approved use in the park but seemed to be placed in the park informally.”
Robert Emanuel, the park advocate (he holds the key to the poo bag dispenser), said he had emailed council asking for the chairs to be brought back so they could be formally donated and then returned to the park.
But he received a response saying: “The design and types of household furniture does not comply with council’s Technical Domain Manual. Council will not accept seating of this kind as a donation from users of the park into the future.”
The spokeswoman said: “Council seating is currently provided in the covered shelter.”
The shelter can accommodate perhaps six people but there are often up to 20 dog owners in the park of an afternoon Mr Emanuel said.
