Warner Reserve Dog Off Leash Area(Ashburton)

Warner Reserve is a small unfenced off-leash green on Warner Avenue, Ashburton, sitting behind the Ashburton pool and recreation complex. It is a local leg-stretcher rather than a destination park: open grass, a few benches, and enough room for a proper fetch session with a dog that has reliable recall.

The dog setup

Boroondara's off-lead conditions apply: your dog must stay in sight and respond to voice, you must carry a lead at all times, and dogs go on-lead within 10 metres of the playground. Dogs are off the oval whenever organised sport or training is on, and you should keep clear of in-use barbecues and picnic areas. Pick up after your dog; bins are provided. There is no fencing, so recall needs to be solid before you unclip.

Pepsi: no fence means this one is a trust exercise. Fine for a dog that checks in, a no-go for one that chases birds towards the road.

Worth knowing

Council has scheduled a sportsground renewal at Warner Reserve, with works on the oval area expected to run from early September 2026 through April 2027, so the off-lead space on the sportsground may be closed while that happens. The playground and car park access around it remain open, but check the City of Boroondara project page or on-site signage before planning a visit in that window.

Getting there and parking

On-site parking sits off Warner Avenue, with more spaces around the pool complex car park. Alamein station is roughly a kilometre away on the Alamein line, and local buses run nearby. Bring your own bowl for the dog; the reserve has a drinking fountain but no dedicated dog bowls.

More off-leash nearby

If the oval is closed for renewal or crowded with sport, Markham Reserve is a short drive away and gives a dog more room to run. Afterwards, Papa Chai on High Street is the chai stop on the way home.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly parks guide and the Ashburton destination page.