A new water pipe bridge built in Kaitoke Regional Park is now more comfortable for dogs, thanks to special dog-friendly panels. The bridge, completed late last year, is part of a popular walking trail used by thousands of people and their pets.
The bridge also serves an important job: it carries about half of the Wellington region’s water supply. But when it first opened, some visitors noticed that the grated walkway made dogs nervous. Many dogs didn’t like being able to see through the metal or found it hard to walk on.
In response, the council added special panels to cover the grates and give dogs better grip. The panels cost $25,000, a small part of the $41 million total budget for the bridge.
Nick Leggett, chair of Wellington Water, said the change was worth it to make the bridge enjoyable for both people and pets. “It’s important to combine infrastructure that serves the city with something the public can safely use and enjoy,” he said.
