Off-lead dog parks

Find an off-lead park near you

We have many designated off-lead areas where you can take your dog for a run off-lead. Remember that these are shared spaces.

You should know the rules for these spaces and that dogs must be walked on a lead when not in a designated off-lead area. These rules are available in our Off-lead dog park rules section on this page below.

Note: It's an offence to take your dog off its leash before it's inside a designated off-lead park.

Off-lead dog park rules

The requirements for dogs in public places are outlined in Boroondara's Dog Control Order No.1.

To use these off-lead parks, you must:

• carry a lead at all times
• not allow your dog to threaten any person or animal
• bring your dog under your control immediately if it threatens any person or animal
• not allow your dog on sporting ovals during organised sports events including matches and training
• keep your dog at least 30m away from in-use barbecues or picnic areas, public meetings or sporting events, including matches or organised training
• not allow your dog within a playground and keep it on a lead within 10m of the perimeter of a playground
• bring waste bags to pick up after your dog and place it in a bin (you can be fined if you don't clean up after your pet).

Exceptions to off-lead areas

Certain dog breeds cannot be off-lead. For example:

• Restricted breeds and dangerous dogs must be muzzled and leashed when outside your home – find out more on the Dogs page on the Agriculture Victoria website.
• Greyhounds must be on a lead even in off-lead areas and parks as per legal requirements for greyhound owners – Legal requirements for greyhound owners page on the Agriculture Victoria website.

The Manningham Council Greyhound Slip Track is a fully-fenced area you can use that allows open running for greyhounds. Find out more on the Whitehorse City Council website.

For the latest information on exceptions to off-lead areas, visit the Legal requirements for dog owners page on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Fenced dog park rules

In addition to the rules for off-lead dog parks, if you are using the fenced dog play area at Gordon Barnard reserve, you must:

• keep your dog off the sporting ovals during organised sports event, including matches and training
• fill in any holes your dog digs
• keep your dog on a lead until inside the fenced area
• not bring in any human food
• only have a maximum of 2 dogs per person
• supervise children if they are with you
• not conduct any commercial activity.

Using a shared space

Everyone who uses a shared space is responsible for the safety of those around them.

• Dog owners need to have their dog under effective control – see our Off-lead dog park rules section on this page.
• Bike riders need to travel at a speed and in a manner that enables them to avoid people and animals.
• Pedestrians need to be mindful of activities around them.