Which Bayside walks are shaded enough for a small dog in summer?
From October on, the pack walks early and in the shade. The mangrove boardwalks, the wetlands, and the three fenced yards with lights for after the sun's gone.
From October to about April, the pack and I walk early and in the shade, and the rest of the day happens in the garden under the trees. A little one with a lot of fluff and short legs is close to the hot ground, so the walk that was lovely in July is a different thing in January.
Here are the shady ones I pick, and the yards with lights for after the sun's gone.
The rule at my place: early, shaded, near water
Three things, and they're all just common sense. Go before the sun's properly up, or after it's gone. Pick the path with trees or boardwalk over it. And walk near the water, because the breeze off the bay is worth a few degrees.
Anything beyond that is a question for your vet, not for me.
The mangrove boardwalks
The Lota Creek Boardwalk from Whites Road is the summer walk. Timber boardwalk out over the mangroves, then a flat loop back under the gums, about two kilometres and shady for most of it. Off the ground, under the trees, by the creek. Lota walks post.
At the northern end of Wynnum, the mangrove boardwalk along the creek does the same job.
The wetlands
Sandy Camp Road Wetlands in Wynnum West is flat, quiet, and shaded in stretches, with water on both sides of the track for most of the way. Pups on the lead, and check the reserve sign.
The foreshore, but early
The Wynnum-to-Lota foreshore path is the best walk on the Bayside and it has almost no shade. In summer that means before seven, or not at all. The upside is the breeze, and the water right there.
After dark: the yards with lights
Once the sun's gone, the fenced council yards with lights come into their own. Three on this side of the bay:
- Don Randall Park, Lota. Fully fenced, lit, separate small-dog enclosure.
- Elanora Park, Wynnum. Fully fenced, lit, separate small-dog enclosure.
- Stannard Road Park, Manly West. Fully fenced, lit, no small-dog side.
The first two are the ones for a little one. I checked all three on the council's own list this week. Rules change, so if you're reading this in a year, look it up again before you unclip.
Key takeaways
- Summer walks are early, shaded and near water. That's the whole rule.
- The mangrove boardwalks (Lota Creek, and Wynnum's) are the shady walks.
- Sandy Camp Road Wetlands is the quiet, flat one.
- The foreshore before seven, or not at all.
- After dark: Don Randall Park and Elanora Park have lights and a small-dog yard.
Common questions
Where can I walk my little dog in the shade near Wynnum?
The Lota Creek Boardwalk from Whites Road is shady for most of its two kilometres. The mangrove boardwalk at the northern end of Wynnum and the tracks at Sandy Camp Road Wetlands are the other two. All three are pups-on-the-lead walks.
Which Bayside off-leash parks have lights?
On Brisbane City Council's list: Don Randall Park in Lota, Elanora Park in Wynnum, and Stannard Road Park in Manly West. Don Randall and Elanora also have a separate small-dog enclosure.
What does the pack do on a hot day at day care?
Not much, on purpose. A run in the garden early, and then the shade: the pups sort themselves onto the cool spots under the trees and on the lounge and snooze through the heat. You'll get a photo of your fur baby flat out. It's a day at my place with the volume turned down.
More notes from Ros
Want your little one in the pack?
Every new pup starts with a meet & greet at my place. No pressure. Tell me about your fur baby and I'll come back to you with the days I have.