Lord Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Lord Reserve on Munro Avenue in Carnegie is entirely off-leash, a relaxed, tree-lined park that locals treat as a shared backyard, with some trees on site around 75 years old. The whole reserve is off-leash rather than a fenced-off section, which makes it easy to use but means you need to stay alert near the edges.

The rules

Dogs must go back on leash within 20 metres of barbecues, picnic areas, playgrounds, sports facilities or organised events under Glen Eira City Council rules. They are not permitted inside the fenced playground or on the sports pitches.

Owners are required to carry a lead and keep voice or hand control over their dog at all times, and to pick up and bin waste.

What's there

A large grassy area suits fetch and running, with water fountains that include dog bowls, solid shade from the mature trees, and a picnic shelter with barbecue facilities near the sports ground. Note that the reserve is only partially fenced and gates near the street entrances are sometimes left open, so recall matters more here than at a fully enclosed park.

Max: gates near the street entrances are sometimes left open, so keep a closer eye on recall here than you would at a fully enclosed park.

Getting there

Access is via Murrumbeena Road or Koornang Road, with parking off Munro Avenue shared with the adjoining Koornang Park and Swim Centre. Carnegie railway station on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines is nearby, along with trams on Koornang Road, so it is reachable without a car.

Close by with the dogs

The Packer Park Dog Off Leash Area is the other Carnegie option, and for a fully enclosed run the Pawfield Park Fenced Dog Park at Caulfield East is a short drive. Coffee afterward, Spilt Milk and Left Field Cafe both welcome dogs outdoors. More are on the Victoria park guide and the Carnegie destination page.

When to go

Late afternoon and early evening draw the biggest crowd, when locals treat the reserve as a social meeting point, and weekends get busy with families using the picnic and playground areas. Weekday mornings are quieter and give a timid dog more room to settle in.