The dog area can be booked with the app: at Solari Park, a protected space in the condominium garden

You can enter with a maximum of three dogs, but only one owner. It's designed for the liveliest breeds that cause disruption.

Walking through Parco Solari, you immediately notice the huge number of owners out walking their dogs. Yet, despite the dedicated areas, many of them remain on a tight leash. "Even the vet advises me not to go there: the dog areas are in terrible condition," says Fiorella, who has always lived in the neighborhood and walks every day with Marcus, a lively seven-year-old mixed breed. "And then he chases every squirrel; he's unstoppable." As she tries to restrain him, she looks over the gate of what has recently become a paid dog area, created as part of the Dog City Garden project, located in a condominium garden overlooking the park.

The Solari area opened at the beginning of the month: access is by reservation via an app and for a fee, with a slot reserved for one owner at a time and up to three dogs. The space is completely fenced and designed to ensure safety. "The idea was born from our personal experiences," explains co-founder Veronica Crippa. "I have two large greyhounds, and public areas have always been problematic, especially for the livelier one, who chases scooters, creating dangerous situations."

Hence the need for a safe space where dogs can be let loose without risk. "They also need to run in a space where no conflict arises: keeping them on a leash all the time only makes things worse in the long run." The project addresses an increasingly evident problem, which concerns not only the temperament of the animals but also shortcomings common in many cities, such as the lack of shade, drinking fountains, and inconsistent maintenance. "In Italy, there are 1,602 public dog parks for over 14 million registered dogs: far too few," emphasizes Crippa. And even those in Milan aren't always popular with residents. "My dog always gets sick after playing there. I don't go there anymore, but I'm forced to keep him on a leash at all times," says Paola, who walks Leon, a ten-year-old mixed-breed. Solari's is the second opening after Espinasse, but it introduces a novelty: it's located within a condominium garden. The owner, with the support of other residents, has decided to dedicate a portion of the green space to the project. "It's an opportunity because many condominium gardens are underutilized," observes Crippa, who explains: "The first few days, the residents of the building were worried, but they calmed down once they saw how it works. And we're already receiving many requests, even from very elderly people who prefer to avoid crowded dog parks for fear of not being able to look after their pets properly."

If adequate spaces are provided, even the liveliest dogs can let off steam in a healthy way," concludes co-founder Sarah Canonici. "And when dogs are healthy, even living together in the city becomes easier."

Link to the website: https://milano.repubblica.it/c...