By SHANE DOUTHIE

CONCERNED Beechworth community members have formed a group to challenge Indigo Shire Council's plan to ban off–leash dog walking at Baarmutha Park in Beechworth.

Friends of Baarmutha Park (FoBP) has organised a petition and will be seeking signatures over the next week or so in an effort to keep the off–leash dog walking area at the park as it is.

"Indigo Shire Council has proposed to relocate off–leash dog walking away from Baarmutha Park to Wallace Park," FoBP spokesperson Troy Dillon said.

"Baarmutha Park is 34 ha and is the designated off–leash area since 2001. Wallace Park is less than 1 Ha of space and is largely inaccessible in the wetter months due to water–logging."

Mr Dillon said Baarmutha Park is crown land and is multi–use space for football, hockey, netball, athletics, golf, concerts, off–leash dog walking, Defence Force logistical training and mountain bike rid...