Woodland Park Dog Off Leash Area

Woodland Park is a 7.2 hectare Maroondah council reserve on Central Avenue, Croydon South, built around a large open grass oval ringed by native bushland. The oval is the off-leash zone; the bush paths around it are on-lead walking country, which makes the one reserve work as both a run and a quiet circuit walk.

The dog setup

Dogs can run free on the central grass oval under effective voice control. Maroondah's standard conditions apply: back on lead within 15 metres of the playground, barbecues, picnic areas and any organised sport, and on lead on the shared paths. The bushland edge is wildlife habitat, so keep dogs on the paths there and follow on-site signage around any revegetation zones. Greyhounds stay leashed everywhere in public under the Domestic Animals Act, and bins are provided for waste.

A water tap with a bowl sits near the paths, and there are benches, a playground, picnic areas and a wheelchair-accessible entrance. The oval itself is largely unshaded and heats up fast in summer, so bring your own water as a backup even with the tap on site.

Max: if your dog is nervous around others, use the outer bush paths on lead instead. They are quieter than the oval and still give you a proper walk.

Getting there and parking

The park is at 69 Central Avenue, Croydon South, with street parking generally available on Central Avenue and the side streets off it. Buses serve the surrounding roads; check Public Transport Victoria for the nearest stop if you are not driving.

Worth knowing

Weekend late mornings to mid-afternoon and weekdays after 4pm draw the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings are the quiet option, good for dogs that prefer a calmer run before the school pickup rush. For a coffee afterwards, SoulPod Cafe and Eastfield Coffee Co. are both a short drive away in Croydon South. The bigger fenced runs across Maroondah are listed on the VIC dog parks guide, and the Croydon South destination page rounds up the suburb.