Roy Dore Reserve Fenced Dog Park

Roy Dore Reserve Fenced Dog Park sits on the triangle of grass south of Thelma Street in Carrum, inside the larger reserve next to the Long Beach Tennis Club, about a kilometre inland from the bay. City of Kingston built it properly: secure perimeter fencing, three chicane-style double-gate entries on concrete slabs and a design that clearly came from people who watch dogs for a living. It is open 24 hours.

The dog setup

Off-leash applies inside the enclosure only; dogs stay on-lead everywhere else in Roy Dore Reserve, including the sports ovals and the southern grassy corridor. Inside, the surface mixes grass, gravel paths and mulch, with logs and boulders in the middle for dogs that need something to investigate, and a 1.8-metre-wide granitic gravel circuit runs the inside of the fence for walking laps while the dogs play. A water tap with an integrated bowl, bins and six perimeter seats round out the amenities. Carry a leash, keep your dog under control, and use the bins.

Worth knowing

The seats are unshaded, so there is no shelter in a heatwave; come early, bring extra water, and skip the middle of hot summer days. The ground holds water in wet weather and can turn muddy. It also fills up: weekend mornings and the early and late daylight windows are the busiest, while weekday mornings and mid-afternoon leave more room. A children's playground and public toilets sit about 100 metres away.

Getting there and parking

Access is via Thelma Street with on-site parking. Carrum Station on the Frankston line is within walking distance, and the paths are wheelchair accessible, which is rarer than it should be in dog park design.

Make a day of it

The bay is the natural follow-up: Carrum Dog Beach sits near the Patterson River mouth for a swim after the fenced run, and Bonbeach Beach continues the sand up the coast. The Patterson River Loop handles the walking days. Gretel Coffee Roasters in Carrum is the coffee stop with the dog waiting outside.

Max: one complete lap of the gravel circuit with his human, then a formal inspection of every log in the middle, in order of importance.

More options are on the Victoria dog parks list, and the Carrum guide covers the suburb.