Markham Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Markham Reserve is Ashburton's biggest off-leash run, roughly 11 hectares of open grass off Victory Boulevard with Gardiners Creek and its shared trail running along one edge. The reserve is off-leash 24 hours a day outside organised sport, which makes it the default big-space option in this pocket of Boroondara.

The rules. Dogs can be off-leash at any time, but you must leash up whenever training or matches are underway on the ovals. Boroondara's standard conditions apply: keep your dog in sight and under effective voice control, carry a lead, stay on-lead within 10 metres of the playground, and pick up. The reserve is not fenced, and the grass runs straight into the creek corridor, the shared path and local streets, so solid recall matters here.

What's there. Covered barbecue areas, picnic tables, toilets and drinking fountains, plus a fully fenced adventure playground and a skate and BMX park at the family end. Bins are on site for dog waste. The shared path links directly into the wider Gardiners Creek trail network if you want to turn a run into a proper walk.

Getting there. Angled street parking runs along Victory Boulevard and is usually straightforward outside sport days. By train, Alamein and Burwood stations are both a 15 to 20 minute walk; buses 734 and 766 run near the High Street and Warrigal Road corner.

Nearby with the dogs. Papa Chai on High Street does chai and curry bowls with dog-friendly footpath tables. Warner Reserve is the quieter local alternative a few streets away, and Gardiners Creek Reserve in Burwood is an easy trail walk downstream.

When to go. Late weekday afternoons and weekend mid-mornings are the social peak; weekday mid-morning or early afternoon is far quieter. If your dog is easily overwhelmed, stick to the creek-side edges rather than the central oval where the ball games happen. Good for big runners and social dogs that need real space.

Sources

• Off-lead dog parks | City of Boroondara · boroondara.vic.gov.au
• Markham Reserve | City of Boroondara · boroondara.vic.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.