New enclosed dog playpark set to open near Inverness Shopping Park
DOG owners and walkers in Inverness will be able to enjoy a new enclosed playpark this summer.
Paws N Play Adventure Park, located just off the A96 between the Inverness Shopping Park and the Smithton Roundabout will be launching officially on July 1.
They will host a series of playdates on June 17 and 18 to introduce the facilities to new users.
The idea stemmed from the friendship between Kim Shepherd – a Nairn-based dog walker who helped set up the dog playpark Unleashed in Balmakeith – and her husband Ian and fellow husky owners Sharon and Tony Scott from Invergordon.
"We wanted to find a bigger space for dogs to run freely," said Mrs Shepherd.
"Owning four huskies and a collie cross rescue and as a dog walker I found that there are a lot of walks around Nairn, and Inverness, but not many where you can take a bigger group of dogs easily.
"So the idea was to create a space where dog owners can just let their dogs have fun without getting anxious, and without the owner getting anxious thinking that the dog might escape or react to people.
"I have been using the field for the dogs I regularly walk and I just love how happy they are.
"Sadly one of my dogs died recently after he was startled by something and ran away, and he was hit by a train. It was horrible. So, having a space where I know I can let them run free is amazing."
She added that the space will be ideal for anyone with nervous or reactive dogs or just for a non-stress off-leash experience.
The park will feature a boat which will be turned into a paddle pool – they now have a pond to help on warmer days – tyres for the dogs to play with, a raised platform with a tunnel ad loads of space for running and zooming.
In recent years other similar facilities have opened in the area, with The Field on the A82 just past Torvean and WaggTail Woods in North Kessock as well as Unleashed in Nairn.
"It's great to have more of these spaces, there is a place for each of them and we are not in competition.
"We purchased the land about a year ago but it took a while to get it ready for opening after we had a few issues with flooding. Then we did the fencing ourselves. With all of us having our day jobs, it wasn't easy but it's great to be almost ready to open."
Booking is expected to open shortly, with rates starting from £12 for a space for one to two dogs, up to £18 for a group of 8 dogs - with the potential of having more by getting in touch directly with the owners.
After opening the new park – 3-and-a-half acres spade – they plan to use the remaining space of their field and turn it into a doggy daycare.
More details and updates will be available on Paws N Play Adventure Park's website and Facebook page.
