Dubai's four-legged residents flock to new dog park at Akoya Oxygen

Central Bark is the latest dog-friendly space to open in the city

People with their dogs at the official opening of Central Bark in Damac Akoya Oxygen in Dubai.

People arriving with their dogs for the official opening of Central Bark. All photos by Pawan Singh/The National

Dogs playing at the official opening of Central Bark in Damac Akoya Oxygen in Dubai.

Doggy accessories on display at one of the stalls during the official opening of Central Bark.

People arriving with their dogs for the official opening of Central Bark.

The entrance to Central Bark.

People arriving with their dogs for the official opening of Central Bark.

The dedicated dog park is located in Damac's Akoya Oxygen community.

People with their dogs at the official opening of Central Bark.

People with their dogs at the official opening of Central Bark.

The opening day of Central Bark.

Families and their four-legged friends watch a film after the official opening of Central Bark.

A visitor at Central Bark.

People arriving with their dogs for the official opening of Central Bark.

People with their dogs at the official opening of Central Bark.

People with their dogs at Central Bark.

Shayda Jansar with her dog Henry at the official opening of Central Bark.

Dubai’s four-legged residents have a new spot to to call their own, following the opening of Central Bark, a dedicated dog park in Dubai’s Akoya Oxygen community. This follows the opening of a dog park at Damac Hills two weeks ago, firmly placing Damac communities among the most dog friendly in the city.

Opening day at Central Bark. Pawan Singh / The National

A fully enclosed spot surrounded by trees, Central Bark is a five minute walk from the Akoya Oxygen Community Centre and is located behind the community's Carrefour supermarket. It is open to all and free to enter. Opening day included doggy agility demonstrations, competitions and games. The festivities concluded with a showing of Frozen on the lawn by the dog park.

Central Bark's “unleashing ceremony” was organised by Flopster, a self-dubbed “pet community facilitator”, which brings the UAE’s pet lovers together and supports developers such as Damac in creating more pet-friendly communities.

Laetitia Guidicelli, founder of Flopster, commented: “The UAE has seen an increase in pet-friendly and bespoke pet-focused events and activities in recent years and we are proud to have played a key role in this development.

“The opening of Akoya’s dog friendly park is testament to the growing number of developers who seek to enhance their communities’ offerings to cater to the growing number of pet owners.

"As a business that brings the UAE’s animal lovers together, we are proud to support Damac in their efforts to create bespoke pet-friendly spaces across their developments. We look forward to hosting many exciting events at Akoya in the coming months.”

Flopster has also launched #FlopsterFridays at the dog-friendly beach at Al Jazira Bungalows in Ghantoot. For Dh100 per person, dog owners and their furry friends get full access to the pet-friendly beach, as well as doggie activities, surfing lessons, sunset beach yoga and games.