[kowloonhk]

does anyone know of any parks/playgrounds/beaches in hk where pets are officially welcome (either leashed or unleashed)? i'm sick and tired of strolling with my dog alongside massive traffic jams, inhaling all the carbon monoxide...
also, i've heard about doggie swimming pools in hk, but nobody seems to know where they're located...?
so. if anyone has any suggestions as to where i can bring my dog (big dog- golden retriever) for some fun and exercise in hk, i'd greatly appreciate the info.
and since we live in kln, suggestions for places like disco bay or other outlying islands are just too far away. nt is probably the farthest i can manage with a large animal, though kln side and hk island are preferrable.
thanks!

[crossecottage]

There is a dog play ground a Sai Kung if that is not too far. It is by the Lions Nature Reserve. Follow the signs for the Lions Centre and it is in Che Keng Fuk Road on the left just past the entrance to the Lions Centre, opposite Hebe Villa.

They have concrete pipes for tunnels, runs up and down, hoops to jump through etc.

[angiebaby80]

maybe you should take your doggie to far open areas like disco bay and other outlying islands...will give him enough exercise just getting there..*woof*

[Bearcub]

There's a place called "Pet Oasis", which I think is in the Tuen Mun area. They have pools, fields etc. for dogs.

Their website is:
http://www.pet-oasis.com/eng/aboutclub.htm

We havent been there yet, so can't comment.

[kowloonhk]

thanks so much guys! will definitely check those places out once this blasted heat wave goes away...

[PDLM]

Basically the rule is that if you dog is over 20kg (which I guess a full-grown Golden Retriever will be) then the only public spaces in which it may officially run unleashed are the Country Parks. If you get a copy of the Countryside series maps from any good bookstore (or order online from the Government Bookstore at http://bookstore.esdlife.com/eng/default.asp ) that shows the extent of the country parks. There are quite extensive areas on the hills and southside of HK Island and on the hills at the north of the Kowllon Peninsula (around Lion Rock, Kowloon Peak, etc.). some great places for a dog to run.

[edf19]

I took my dog to petworld (kam sheung road station, west rail) couple of times, they hv swimming pools for big & small dog. not bad environment, just make sure to bring mosquito repellent with you.

[-jC-]

there's a dog walking area in wan chai/causeway bay as well... though how to get there is a little bit complicated...it's along Gloucester road a little further in from the roundabout that goes into the cross harbour tunnel...ish

sorry i can't be of much help - does anyone have more clear directions to the park?

mind, it's not really a park...it's a slab of concrete at the end of the wan chai promenade with a bit of grass for dogs to run around on and do their business

[dipper]

The suggestions above cover most of the official options, which is what you asked for, but bear in mind that there is no need to stick only to official dog areas. Most neighbourhoods have unofficial dog areas as well.

For example , where I live in Quarry Bay the unofficial 'dog place' has always been in a dead end street with no traffic just outside of Quarry Bay Park. This is where the dog owners in the neighbourhood meet and let their dogs socialise and run around (although it is less used now due to reconstruction work that is going on). There is another unofficial dog place at the Sai Wan Ho end of the park, near to where the outdoor-seating restaurants are (the restaurants also welcome dogs). Also, late at night after the basketball players have gone home the basketball court becomes another unofficial dog space.

If I'm at home and it's raining I will often take my dog to the basketball court as I know the players will stop playing if it rains and the dog can run around and chase a ball. The players are cool with it, it's kind of like half-time entertainment when rain stops play. Of course, if they are playing I don't let the dog run free as the primary purpose of the space is for playing basketball. Occasionally an officious LCSD employee with nothing better to has come along and attempted to kick us off but it's no big deal.

These are just a few examples but if you have a look around your neighbourhood I'm sure you will find a lot of spaces being used creatively by local people, including space for dogs.