Ashwood Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Ashwood Reserve Dog Off Leash Area sits on Winbirra Parade, part of the wider Ashwood/Jingella/Holmesglen Reserve complex, with open grass, skyline views and 24/7 off-leash access right alongside the Gardiners Creek Trail.

The rules. Off-leash access runs 24/7, but the area is unfenced, so dogs need to be under effective voice or hand control at all times and you must carry a leash with you. Within 10 metres of the Gardiners Creek Trail, dogs go back on-leash, and the same applies within 20 metres of children's play equipment or an active barbecue or picnic area. Dogs are not permitted on the synthetic hockey pitch at Ashwood Reserve or the A-grade turf pitch at Holmesglen Reserve.

What's there. Water bowls are usually out, and there is a car park, public toilets and waste bins on site, though it is worth carrying your own bags. The open grass gives plenty of room to run, but there is no fencing anywhere in the reserve.

Getting there. Free on-site parking is available off Winbirra Parade, and Holmesglen Railway Station is an easy walk away, so it is workable without a car. The reserve sits directly on the Gardiners Creek Trail, so it also works as a stop on a longer walk, run or ride.

Nearby with the dogs. Chadstone, Ashburton and Mount Waverley are all close by and have cafes with outdoor seating that tend to welcome dogs, worth a look for coffee before or after a walk.

When to go. Weekday mornings and Friday-Saturday mornings bring the most other dogs and owners, while Wednesday afternoons, Thursday evenings and Saturday evenings are quieter. Good for confident dogs that are solid off-leash, since the lack of fencing means recall matters more here than at an enclosed park.

Sources

• Ashwood Reserve | City of Monash · monash.vic.gov.au
• MONASH DOG OFF-LEASH POLICY - AWS · hdp-au-prod-app-mon-shape-files.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com

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