Canford Park SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) — Local services in England

The SANG has become the "go to" place for people to walk their dogs, so if you don't like dogs, avoid at peak times. The circular walk takes anywhere from 30 mins to an hour, depending on your pace. As a dog walker, I generally spend around an hour here, slow walking along the river (I have seen one otter on this stretch of the Stour since it opened). There is an enclosed area for dog training, or fearful dogs. No booking required so you can't guarantee it will be empty when you arrive. Dogs are mainly off lead here, which is great for their enrichment. Please respect the wildlife though and keep your dogs away from the resident swans and visiting ducks (there are 3 main ponds towards the centre left). It's not uncommon to see a Heron either. There are also plenty of bins scattered around the area so absolutely NO excuse to not pick up your dog's mess.

If your dog likes to swim, there is a dog Dipping Pool located away from the main SANG area. As you drive towards the main car park, you will see additional parking on the left at the pedestrian crossing. This is referred to as The Link. Not a large walking area, generally more quiet and at the end of the path on the left is the "pool".

You can also walk The Stour Way and this path runs parallel to the SANG. From main car park walk towards the little slip road coming to/from main car park and alongside the field there is the path. It is marked up. This will take you behind Canford School to the village. When the Stour bursts its banks this is where you are directed to walk as The SANG will...

What a wonderful surprise finding this place was. We were going for a stroll along the old path starting at Bearscross walking the narrow lane past the fields with sheep and horses in all the way to the old "Magna Road Golf course ". But low an behold the golf course is no more. The fields of the course are no more and are now populated by sheep and lucky for us the Canford Park SANG . The park has wonderful gravel paths ideal for walking on those rainy days which are drawing closer day by day. The park has a fenced dog exercise area which is ideal for training your puppy or young dog knowing they are safe and secure. The paths running by the river are beautiful and with patients you may see river birds feeding an even see an elusive King Fisher flash by. Several places along the rivers edge dogs can get right down into the water for a splash about or maybe even a swim. The park is still in its early stages and in the next few weeks a refreshments hut will be up an running giving more seating places for a drink an a chat with fellow nature lovers. The area is in its first phaze and new walks will be opening up in the coming months and year. What with ample parking spaces and fantastic circular walks I can see Canford Park SANG becoming a very popular dog...

This is a great place to visit, VERY dog friendly, and is completely free to walk around with free parking. The walk goes in a loop which you can make a short or as long a loop as you like. There is a river with two access points for dogs so they can have a paddle or swim and play in, and is great to cool them off in the summer months. There is also quite a big fenced off training area, which is great for dogs in training, or reactive dogs to get some off lead time, and is free to use. And there is also a dog agility area at the car park (there is a charge for that part). At the other end, so half way point is a van that do ice-cream for dogs and humans, drinks, and some snacks. There is also another agility fenced off area, and another fenced off training area at the half way point both of those there is a charge for. There's a stone path going the whole loop, and other quieter paths off the track. It's extremely dog friendly which we absolutely love. There's benches and seats dotted around everywhere, and lots of doggie bins. There is also a small child's play area now at the...