Community dog group call KGR home

An unlikely community hub, a lone bench in Kensington Gardens Reserve/Kensington Wama has become the daily meeting place for a dog group comprised of over 40 pooches and their owners.

Located along the perimeter of Ford Oval, the northern most oval in the reserve, the bench was installed with support from Kensington Gardens & Magill Ward Councillor Kerry Hallett and the rest of Council.

All originally strangers to each other, the group formed organically over the love of their four-legged friends. Now encompassing dozens of members, the group is an amalgamation of a wide spectrum of people from local residents to residents of the wider Adelaide region, students to retirees, lifelong Australians to new citizens, small dogs to big dogs and everyone in between.

Group member and one of the catalysts behind its creation (and owner of dog Tic Tac) Drew noted the installation of the bench had become a necessity following health issues of some of the members.

‘After Doreen and Judy, two of our women who have had knee operations, came back from their procedures we were all very nervous and we thought we needed a safe space for them,’ Drew said.

‘This bench was mentioned as an opportunity and Kerry Hallett decided to take it to Council, so now this is where both Doreen and Judy sit sometimes, just in case.’

Riding his bike to the reserve in the morning, Drew also takes advantage of the installed exercise equipment to get in a quick workout and said everyone in the group personally took something slightly different from their experience.

‘I’ve been coming here for about three years now and in doing so, I’ve found it’s very helpful for me on several levels.’

With no pressure or requirements on attendance – or even the prerequisite of a dog, the unofficial group meets three times per day in the shade of one of the reserve’s many gum trees. Welcome to stay for as long or as little time as desired, the group use the time as much for human interaction as for puppy playgroup.

‘There are different groups that come in the morning, lunchtime and evenings,’ Drew said. ‘A lot of us will come down in the morning and we sit for at least an hour watching the cricket, it’s just great fun while the dogs are running around.’

Jess of Kensington Gardens said as a doctor the group dynamic fits in well with her inconsistent schedule and helped support her work/life balance.

‘Everyone is really invested in each other’s lives,’ Jess said. ‘We’ve had people go away or have surgery and other people in the group will look after their dogs or go and bring them to the park, so they don’t miss out.’

Diligent in their respect for others utilising the reserve, the group take pride in self-policing their member’s dogs and always keeping a heavy supply of doggybags on hand to leave the space clean after use.

Former Kensington Gardens resident Jennifer said that even though she doesn’t have a dog of her own, the group had been extremely inclusive and acted as a support network for her. Jennifer so enjoyed her time with the group that even after moving outside of the City of Burnside, she continued to make the trip to Kensington Gardens Reserve/Kensington Wama numerous times per week.

‘I moved in at a bad time of my life - I was very, very lonely,’ Jennifer said. ‘I got sick of doing work, home, work, home and not doing anything else. And I kept seeing the same people walking the same dogs around five-ish and I finally got up the courage to just go “Hi, you don’t know me, can I pat your dog?” and they went “Yeah sure,” … and then they couldn’t get rid

of me.’

Youngest member of the group is Phoenix from Kensington Gardens, who attends every Thursday afternoon with his grandmother. One of the most popular members of the group amongst both people and pups, Phoenix is the go-to group ball thrower and Chief Patting Officer.

‘If I get bored of playing with the dogs I’ll go over to the fitness area – there is always something to do at the park,’ Phoenix said. ‘You get to talk about your day, it is interesting to hear about everyone’s week.’

With plenty of seating, walking paths and a plethora of shade and cover, the group is spoiled for choice even through the extreme weather months. Rain, hail or shine many of the members make an effort to attend at least one session, like local Bill who has been coming to Kensington Gardens Reserve twice a day for 32 years.

‘The dogs love it and I enjoy the relationships forged with the other walkers,’ Bill said.

‘I love what Burnside has done to develop the park. It’s been a marvelous investment.’

Just a few of the Kensington Gardens Reserve dog group members and Cr Kerry Hallett.