Pakuranga’s Lloyd Elsmore Park dog park gets bigger with $65,000 upgrade

Published by Auckland Newsroom on July 28, 2026July 28, 2026

Last Updated on August 10, 2026

There is a bit more space for the dogs at Lloyd Elsmore Park these days. The dog exercise area at the Pakuranga park has been expanded following a $65,000 upgrade paid for by the Howick Local Board. It is a change that local dog owners had been asking for. The original area had become too small, particularly when the park was busy, and the extension gives dogs more room without creating separate sections for large and small breeds.

A bigger dog park

The upgrade isn’t just about making the fenced area bigger. A new entrance has been added, along with seating and shaded areas where owners can take a break. There are also quieter spots around the expanded area, while improved paths and drainage should make getting around the park easier. For the dogs, one of the more practical additions is a new drinking fountain with its own water connection. The project has also reused some of the materials already at the park, including play equipment and tyres, rather than sending everything from the old area to waste.

Popular with local dog owners

The expanded park has already attracted plenty of interest from people who regularly bring their dogs to Lloyd Elsmore Park. One recent event was a Cavoodles, Oodles & Small Dogs Meet-Up, giving local owners a chance to get together while their dogs made use of the new space.

Howick Local Board chair Bruce Kendall said the board had listened to feedback from dog owners when planning the extension. The changes are part of a wider upgrade to the dog exercise area, with the new layout giving owners more options for where they and their dogs can spend time.

For anyone using Lloyd Elsmore Park, the dog exercise area is now a noticeably bigger part of the park, with more room to run, sit and take a break.

Source: Auckland Council.

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Photo: “it takes two to hold the dog” by normanack, CC BY 2.0, via Openverse.