Separation concentrates potential conflicts into isolated spots. Local authorities may also have less incentive to maintain parks designated for dogs. The main tool for reducing crime is to attract more park activity. Dogs and their owners can play a part in reducing crime especially as workers tend to take their dogs out at non-peak times, i.e. in the evening and early morning. Integration means flexibility - it is amenable to changes in policy or emphasis in the future.
Integration provides for a more efficient and equitable distribution of resources.
The sheer diversity of recreation activities that open space planners and managers have to accommodate today means that integration as a general principle is a practical necessity. The cost imperative in government today means that all public facilities need to accommodate multiple uses. The days of elaborate single purpose facilities have long since passed.