Majors Bay Reserve Unfenced Off-leash Dog Park

Majors Bay Reserve runs off-leash 24 hours a day in its designated northern section, a broad stretch of waterfront parkland off Nullawarra Avenue in Concord. The draw is space: open grassy fields with Parramatta River frontage and room to run long and throw far. The catch is that the zone is completely unfenced and opens straight onto paths, sports areas and the water, so this is a park that rewards a dog with solid recall.

The rules

The off-leash zone is the northern section only, near the Dame Eadith Walker Estate; everywhere else in the reserve, dogs must stay on lead, especially around the sporting fields when games are on. Effective control applies at all times under City of Canada Bay Council's rules and the Companion Animals Act, dogs must stay at least 10 metres from playground equipment, and owners pick up after their dogs, with penalties applying. Keep dogs away from waterbirds along the shoreline too, and remember you are legally responsible for any injury or damage your dog causes while off-lead.

Max: unfenced, beside a road and a river. Solid recall before you unclip, or keep the long line on until you know where the boundaries sit.

What's there

Water stations, poo-bag dispensers and bins are in place, along with picnic tables and benches for owners and public toilets in the wider reserve. After council's upgrades to the precinct, the surrounding park also carries an inclusive playground, fitness stations, multi-purpose courts and a BMX pump track, connected by paths along the Concord Foreshore Trail. The mix of open field and water frontage suits both runners and dogs who like a paddle.

Getting there and parking

Access is via Nullawarra Avenue, with a free on-site car park plus street parking that fills fast on weekend mornings, so arrive before 9am on a Saturday or Sunday if you want a spot. Concord West station is a moderate walk away and local buses run along the nearby streets.

Worth knowing

Because the zone is unfenced, keep an eye on your dog near the water and the pathway boundaries. Low tide exposes mudflats along the frontage, so expect muddy paws and think twice about letting dogs into the water after rain. Weekday evenings and weekend mornings are the busiest stretches; early on a weekday is calmest and easiest for parking.

Close by with the dogs

If you would rather have a fence, the Kendall Reserve Fenced Dog Park at Cabarita is the nearest secure alternative, and the Powells Creek Dog Off-Leash Area is another local option. Mattina in Concord West works for a coffee on the drive home.

More options are on the New South Wales dog parks guide and the Concord destination page.