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Guide to the safest off lead walks in Perth

Warning. Basenjis are very vulnerable to road accidents if allowed off lead. Basenjis are vulnerable because they have no road sense. After living in the jungle for thousands of years basenjis have had no exposure to vehicles and therefore no fear exists. As the basenji is also independent and not discerningly obedient you can never rely on your basenji returning to you if called or to stay if commanded. This makes roads and vehicles a major hazard for a basenji and many basenjis have sadly been lost to the roads. Even if your basenji is fairly good off lead, stays with you and comes when called an unpredictable situation can still occur. The basenji is a hunter and should something catch his eye you will have no control in preventing a foreseeable accident. With this in mind I am compiling this guide to assist in finding the safest places in Perth that basenjis can run off lead without fear of accident as many owners wish to let their basenjis have off lead exercise. The list is being compiled by suburb and each location checked for suitability. Please send me an email if you can recommend a safe place near your suburb.

Suburb	Location	Safety notes
Kalamunda 2003 UBD ref Map 293, N4	Jorgensen Park, off Mundaring Weir Rd	From Mundaring Weir Road enter off the steep Crescent Road into a large car park below. The car park is used by walkers and also the community hall situated there. Car park traffic is light and drivers are aware of lose dogs however for safety sake it is best to get your basenji out of the car on lead and remain on lead until you are a couple of hundred metres away from the car park. There are several fairways you can walk along (used to be a golf course) each meets up with each other at various places. The park is surrounded by national park so there are no nearby roads after the car park and you can have a long walk and take several tracks alongside the edge of the national park. By placing your basenji back on lead before you return too close to the car park will prevent hazards. You will find a tap at the rear of the community hall if you wish to refresh your dog after the walk.
Langford 2003 UBD ref Map 310, M14	Hester Park, off Spencer Rd	To be checked Entrance from Spencer Rd to Hester Place Res. Doggy bags available
South Fremantle 2003 UBD ref Map 346, B10	Catherine Point Reserve, off Cockburn Rd	Enter via McTaggart Cov and there is a carpark on the right at the end of this road. It is opposite the old power station. The carpark has pedestrian access down to the reserve and wheelchairs also have easy access via the ramp. The reserve has sheltered picnic tables near to the car park but by crossing the grass to the beach access you'll find a long Dog Beach for your Basenjis to have a safe run along the beach. I recommend taking doggy bags from the reserve as they are not available on the beach and then turning right from the beach access as this has a long walk towards Catherine Point and then on the other side the Dog Beach continues again for some way. Your basenji can really stretch it's legs and take a dip in the water if inclined!
Whiteman Park		Whiteman Park now has free entry. Also a real bonus is the fenced off lead dog area which used to be the old Emu enclosure!