Dog's day out: Gulshan park first to allow dog-walking
Registered members are now allowed to walk their dogs inside the park during designated hours, creating a dedicated space for pet parents while minimising disruption for regular visitors
On a warm morning in Gulshan, as the early rush of walkers and joggers fades and the park settles into a quieter rhythm, a scene, unusual for Dhaka, unfolds near the Road 60 gate of Gulshan Society Lake Park. One by one, dog parents arrive — some with energetic retrievers pulling ahead, others with smaller breeds walking calmly beside them.
The initiative, launched by Pampered Paws Bangladesh in collaboration with Gulshan Society, has transformed a long-standing restriction into a carefully managed arrangement.
Registered members are now allowed to walk their dogs inside the park during designated hours, creating a dedicated space for pet parents while minimising disruption for regular visitors.
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The idea emerged from a longstanding absence in the capital's urban life. For years, dog owners in Dhaka have had limited access to safe and open spaces for walking their pets. Most public parks prohibit dogs, largely due to concerns from other visitors. The initiative aims to address that gap without ignoring those concerns.
Gulshan Society President Omar Sadat explained the rationale behind the project.
"There has never been a park in Bangladesh where dogs are allowed," he said. "Among regular park users, there has always been strong objection to dogs. So we ensured that we did not create inconvenience for them."
They identified the hours when regular visitors usually do not use the park and opened those slots — from 10am to 12pm and again from 10pm to 12am — for dog walking.
The timing is deliberate. Most visitors use the park early in the morning and late in the afternoon. By allocating mid-morning and late-night hours, organisers hope to reduce overlap and avoid conflict.
On Fridays and Saturdays, an additional slot from 2pm to 4pm has been introduced to meet higher demand.
"We are very respectful towards our park users," Sadat added. "At the same time, in a country like Bangladesh, we have completely ignored pets. In most countries, parks are not closed to dogs. So we wanted to encourage this dog walking club while maintaining balance."
Entry during dog-walking hours is strictly regulated. Only registered club members can bring dogs into the park, and all must enter through the Road 60 gate. Members are required to carry identification for themselves and their dogs, which are checked by security personnel. Dogs must be vaccinated, registered and comfortable around others. Leashes are mandatory at all times.
Sadat emphasised the importance of structure.
"When you enter the park, you must register," he said. "We check whether every dog has proper vaccination. Each person is given waste bags, gloves and cleaning materials so they can clean up after their dogs. It is about sharing public space responsibly."
The club operates on a membership basis, charging Tk1,500 per month. Members can choose three-month, six-month or annual packages, payable in advance. Organisers say the fees contribute to maintenance and operational costs.
What began as an experimental initiative has already received a strong response.
"You would be surprised — people are coming not only from different parts of Dhaka but even from Narayanganj to walk their dogs here," Sadat said. "It shows how much demand there is."
For organisers and participants alike, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Ahona Rahman, founder of Pampered Paws Bangladesh, shared her experience on social media.
"The park is open for paws! Yay! We had the most relaxing walk at Gulshan Society Lake Park with our babies. Today was our first time, and the experience was smooth. We bothered no one, and no one bothered us," she wrote.
For many pet owners, the initiative represents recognition of their place within the city's public spaces.
Interestingly, the programme has also received support from non-dog owners.
Abriti Bosak, a Gulshan resident who regularly visits the park, described her initial reaction.
"I have diabetes, so I walk in the park regularly," she said. "At first, I was shocked and amazed at the same time when I saw people here with their dogs. It was very cute to see them like this.
"Before this, they did not have such facilities. But now they do. They did not bother us; we went our way, and they went theirs," she added.
Park staff, who initially feared disruption, also say their concerns have eased.
"At first, we thought it would create a huge mess," said staff member Galibur Rahman. "But when we saw that the dogs were kept on leashes and the owners were given cleaning products, we felt relieved. The best thing is that owners clean up after their dogs."
Saima Haque, a Banani resident, sees the initiative as a model worth replicating.
"I just learned that Gulshan has a facility like this," she said. "I also have a dog at home and want to join the club. We do not have facilities like this elsewhere in Bangladesh. This is definitely something that should be replicated across the city."
The initiative also carries an international dimension. Gulshan, home to a large expatriate population, has long lacked pet-friendly infrastructure.
"There are not only Bangladeshis here, but many foreigners as well," said regular jogger Mamun Ahmed. "Since they need such facilities, it also improves the international image of the city."
That broader vision is part of the initiative's appeal.
"For those of us who have pets, they are like our children," Sadat said. "We need to learn how humans and animals can coexist. This relationship has existed for centuries."
At the same time, he stressed that organisers remain mindful of those uncomfortable around dogs.
"We respect those who object," he said. "Without causing inconvenience to anyone, we are trying to provide this facility for pet owners. In a developing country like Bangladesh, we need to create such opportunities."
Looking ahead, Gulshan Society is considering expanding the initiative to its other parks if the current model proves sustainable.
"For those of us who have pets, they are like our children. We need to learn how humans and animals can coexist. This relationship has existed for centuries. We respect those who object. Without causing inconvenience to anyone, we are trying to provide this facility for pet owners. In a developing country like Bangladesh, we need to create such opportunities." Omar Sadat, President, Gulshan Society
"We have three parks. We started with one," Sadat said. "If this experiment succeeds, we will expand it."
The organisation is also considering plans to improve the treatment of street dogs in the area.
"We are thinking about identifying street dogs in Gulshan, giving them collars and ensuring they are fed, so they are not harmed," Sadat said. "We want to stop the practice of killing dogs on the streets and create a system where humans and animals can coexist peacefully."
For now, organisers say the focus remains on maintaining the balance that has made the initiative successful so far.
"So far, we have not received any complaints," Sadat noted.
More broadly, the initiative reflects a gradual cultural shift in Dhaka, where pets are increasingly being recognised as part of urban life.
