Council awards funding for dog play paddock

2 min read

A Lincolnshire dog paddock provides much-needed community space for locals and their dogs, as a result of funding initiative…

Pictured right: Dogs enjoying their new paddock and its facilities.

A dog paddock, which opened in the Lincolnshire village of Tydd St Mary in May 2023, has been a welcome addition for the local community and their dogs.

The paddock was the result of some funding from the South & East Lincolnshire Crowd, in partnership with Spacehive – who helps communities raise funds to improve their local areas – from community gardens, rewilding projects, and mental health and well-being workshops.

Tom Shakhli, Head of Project Success at Spacehive, commented: “At Spacehive, we’re constantly impressed by the creativity and diversity of local projects that people fundraise for. The success of this dog paddock is the result of a group of passionate dog lovers coming together to make their vision a reality – a vision to not only create inclusive spaces where dogs can roam freely, but at the same time, provide a hub for dog owners, build bonds and foster a sense of belonging for all. This success is indicative of the transformative potential of grassroots initiatives, and the benefits they bring to both dogs and their owners alike.”

The paddock is open all the time and is free for everyone to use. All that they ask is that people respect each other and their dogs, and to be aware of any dogs who may not get along. The paddock has dog jumps, a seesaw and tunnel, and seating for the humans – with a planned addition of a shelter when funds allow.

There has been lots of positive feedback about the paddock since it opened. The locals are very grateful and appreciative of being able to have somewhere to go, and let their dogs run and play in a safe, enclosed area, whilst both the dogs an