Summary of Protocol for Dog Walkers Agreed Between:

Chiswick House Organised Dog Walkers (CHOW) and the CHG Project Team

Dog walking in Chiswick House Gardens

CHOW organised a well-attended public meeting in order to obtain a mandate to represent local dog walkers, to ascertain their support for a voluntary code of conduct for dog walking and to ensure that this code was included in any CHG management plan and the submission to the HLF.

The Project Team supported this initiative and the Project Board has now approved the code for Dog walking in Chiswick House Gardens. The current agreed position is that:

1. Dogs owners/walkers should obey the Code of Conduct in support of existing byelaws and legislation.
   
2. Dogs have the right to roam off lead, except in the following areas:
   
   No go areas for dogs:

• The Italian Garden, The Amphitheatre, the Dandelion Centre, the Playground, The Cricket Wicket area fenced off, the Lake and any areas fenced off during project works.
  
  On lead areas for dogs:
  
  
• The Café Area and Cricket Pitch area when an authorised game is in progress.

Additionally, recognising the need to provide a separate Picnic Area, CHOW originally suggested the sloping lawn at the side of the House but this could alternatively be the area between the bridge and the Temple. Whichever of the two areas is chosen, it would be a no-go area for dogs in the summer months and would be fenced/marked off accordingly.

Recognising the need to utilise a lawn area for sports or other revenue purposes, a fenced area of the Hockey Pitch will be a no-go area for dogs.

Whilst project work is in progress there may be additional fenced off areas that will also be No-Go areas for dogs.
The new café will include a covered area outside for the use of dog owners and their dogs that would be kept on lead in this area.

With the above exceptions, dog owners would not be constrained by times, dates or seasons from their enjoyment of the Gardens in walking with their dogs off lead.

Under the above conditions members of CHOW will continue informally to assist in policing the gardens, reporting problems and generally assisting other users or the management as required.

12 May 2007

(Full code to be displayed at entrances)

---

Chiswick House & Gardens Information Sheet

Walking Your Dog in Chiswick House Gardens

A Code of Conduct for Dog Walkers

Chiswick House Gardens are enjoyed by many thousands of visitors each year many of whom bring dogs. Amongst London parks, Chiswick House Gardens has a long history of being dog-friendly. Dog walkers are welcome at Chiswick House Gardens provided they follow this code.

This Code of Conduct was initiated as a partnership between local dog walkers and CHG management and supports existing site byelaws and legislation which all park users must follow.

Chiswick House Gardens welcomes responsible dog owners.

1. Chiswick House Gardens belongs to all of us.
   Dog Walkers should respect the rights of all users.
   
   
2. Keeping Your Dog Under Effective Control.
   Dogs should be under your control and return when called or be kept on a lead. This is in the best interests of your dog, other site users and the wildlife in the Gardens.
   
   We recommend you keep a lead with you at all times when entering the Gardens.
   
   
3. Do Not Let Your Dog Chase Or Disturb Wildlife.
   Please keep your dog under reasonable control at all times.
   
   
4. Do Not Let Your Dog Disturb Other Users.
   
   All park users are entitled to enjoy Chiswick House & Gardens and dog owners should remember that not everyone is confident around dogs. Please do not allow your dog to chase, bark or otherwise disturb people in the Gardens. Some children or less mobile park users may be particularly alarmed if a dog, or group of dogs, comes up to them.
   
   Full Code 1 of 2
   
   Please Respect the No-Go Areas and Lead-Only Areas for Dogs.
   
   Please remember that the Italian Garden, Amphitheatre, Dandelion Centre, Playground, Cricket Wicket Area, Picnic Area the Lake and the Hockey Field, are No-Go Areas for dogs.
   
   Whist project work is in progress there will be additional fenced off areas which will also be No-Go Areas for Dogs.
   
   Please remember that the Café Area and Cricket Pitch Area - when an authorised game is in progress - are Lead-Only Areas for dogs.
   
   
5. Ensure Your Dog Wears A Collar And Identity Tag.
   
   Many dogs are lost on site each year, distressing both dogs and owners. If your dog is not wearing a collar and identity tag it may hamper efforts to reunite you quickly; we may have to pass the dog on to the Dog Warden:
   
   Norma Mackie 07976 354 083 or 020 8583 5555 or
   email: animalwarden@hownslow.gov.uk
   
   If you lose your dog, please call 020 8742 3905 so we can let you know if it is found or seen within the Grounds.
   
   
6. Please Clear Up After Your Dog.
   Please think about the other people who walk, play and work here and "pick up" in the woods as well as on the paths and open areas.
   
   Most people use the Dog Bags and Dog Waste Bins provided near all main entrances, or take the waste away with them (bags thrown into the bushes pollute the site). Please help to make this 100% of dog walkers.
   
   
7. Thank You For Helping all of us keep our Gardens clean for everyone.
   
   12 May 2007
   
   Full Code 2 of 2

Disclaimer

©CHOWgroup 2008