Curtain Square Fenced Dog Park

Curtain Square Fenced Dog Park sits in the northeast corner of Curtain Square, at the corner of Curtain Street and Canning Street in Carlton North, and its appeal is exactly what the name promises: a fully enclosed, L-shaped run with self-closing gates. For dogs without solid recall, it is a much safer bet than the open off-lead areas a few blocks over, with roads on every side.

The dog setup

Off-lead running is allowed only inside the fenced enclosure; everywhere else in Curtain Square dogs must stay on lead, and they are not permitted in the playground or within 10 metres of it at any time. Voice control and standard registration expectations still apply inside the fence.

The surface is gravel rather than grass, which keeps paws and coats low-mud through Melbourne's wetter months, though it is worth knowing if your dog is fussy underfoot. Inside the run there is a water tap with a drinking bowl, a mix of shaded and open bench seating, and waste bins. Bring your own bags anyway, since bins are not always stocked.

The vibe

This is a small neighbourhood park and it fills accordingly. Weekday evenings from around 6pm and Sunday afternoons draw the biggest scrums of local dogs; Monday mornings, Tuesday nights and early Friday mornings are the quiet windows. If your dog finds crowds of unfamiliar dogs overwhelming, aim off-peak.

Max: gravel run, big crowd, zero mud. I did nine laps of the fence line, drank the entire bowl, and my humans drank coffee they did not have to share.

Getting there and parking

The address is 37-45 Curtain Street, Carlton North. Street parking along Curtain Street and Canning Street is limited and some of it is permit-only, so read the signage. The Route 1 and 6 trams on Nicholson Street are an easy walk away, and the Canning Street bicycle corridor runs right past if you are arriving by bike with a dog in a trailer.

Make a day of it

For a bigger off-lead session, Princes Park Dog Off Leash Area North is a short walk away, and Edinburgh Gardens Off Leash Area is a little further south. The Merri Creek Trail suits an on-lead leg stretch, and The Fat Spatula is a nearby pub with outdoor tables for the recovery stop.

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