The proposal to name the enclosed dog off-leash area at the northern end of Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields as the Purple Poppy Dog Park has been approved.

The proposal was exhibited from Friday 6 May 2022 to Sunday 5 June 2022. We received 50 submissions - thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

The naming was approved at the Council meeting held on Tuesday 22 November 2022.

View the Council Minutes (Item 13.2, page 22).

We are working with Forestville RSL on new signage that will explain the meaning behind the name.

We received an application from the Forestville RSL sub-Branch to name the enclosed dog off-leash area at the northern end of Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields as the Purple Poppy Dog Park. This off-leash area is informally referred to as the Forestville Dog Off-Leash Area.

The purple poppy signifies recognition of the deeds and sacrifices animals have made and continue to make during wartime. The purple poppy was introduced to Australia by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation in 2013.

The Forestville RSL sub-Branch suggests that naming this dog off-leash area as the Purple Poppy Dog Park would be an appropriate recognition of the deeds and sacrifice dogs have made during Australian military service. Dogs are deployed in a variety of roles including as guard dogs and explosive detections dogs. In these roles they have been responsible for saving lives, most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. In a post operational role some dogs serve as assistance dogs.

This name is in keeping with the War Memorial theme of the reserve as it is located within the Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields. The playground is also known as Poppy Park.

The proposal is aligned with Council’s Policy for the Naming of our Reserves, Facilities and Roads.