A J Davis Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

A J Davis Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is a large, flat sports reserve at 300 Fullarton Road in Airport West, open to off-leash dogs around the clock. The main oval plus a creek line and walking trail along one edge give high-energy dogs a proper run, though the ground is unfenced and the reserve sits close to busy roads, so this is a park for dogs with proven recall.

Off-leash status

The reserve is a designated 24/7 off-leash area under Moonee Valley City Council rules, with dogs required to stay under effective voice and hand control at all times. There is no perimeter fence, and sections open toward traffic, so a dog that does not come back on the first call should stay on a lead here. When sports training or matches are on the oval, dogs are leashed or kept well clear of the playing field, and council rules also require a leash within 15 metres of playgrounds and children's areas. Use the on-site bins for waste, but carry your own bags as a backup.

What's there

The draw is space: a big open oval for sprinting and fetch, plus the Moonee Ponds Creek corridor along one side, where a walking and cycling trail adds shade and variety beyond the open grass. A drinking fountain is on site, and there is no shortage of room, but no public toilets, so plan accordingly. The ground turns muddy after rain, which is worth remembering through a Melbourne winter, and a towel in the car earns its place.

Getting there and parking

The reserve sits on Fullarton Road in Airport West, a quick run off the Calder Freeway or Tullamarine Freeway, with easy on-site parking off Fullarton Road. By public transport, the Route 59 tram stops at Airport West on Matthews Avenue a short walk away, and local buses run along Fullarton Road. Aircraft noise is part of the deal this close to the airport, and most local dogs ignore it entirely.

When to go

Weekday mid-mornings and early afternoons are the quietest windows, before evening sports training claims the oval. Mornings also suit the unfenced setup, when fewer distractions compete with your recall. If the field is in use, work the creek-side trail instead of the central grass.

Close by with the dogs

For full fencing, Alf Pearce Reserve Fenced Dog Park at Strathmore has an airlock entry, agility gear and separate zones for large and calm dogs, and Cliff Whitworth Reserve Dog Park at Essendon West is a smaller enclosed option. The Maribyrnong River loop is a good on-lead add-on walk, and Mister Hoffman in Niddrie handles the coffee run.

Pepsi: a whole oval to sprint, a creek to sniff, and the occasional plane to bark at. All of my hobbies in one park.

Bring bags and a towel, mind the sports schedule, and give a new dog a long line before trusting the recall here. More options are in other dog parks in VIC and the Airport West guide.