Town Park Dog Off Leash Area

Town Park is a large open off-leash space right in central Croydon, set around a big grassy oval with a 440m athletics track and a creekline behind the Arndale shopping centre and Civic Centre. It is the handiest reserve for combining a town errand with a run, though it is unfenced.

The rules. The oval is off-leash with dogs under effective voice control. Maroondah City Council requires dogs on-leash within 15 metres of playgrounds, barbecue and picnic facilities, and during organised sport, and on-leash at all times on shared paths. Under the Domestic Animals Act, greyhounds must stay leashed even in off-leash areas. Remove waste immediately.

What's there. The 440m paved athletics track rings the oval, with the Fred Geale pavilion, Keystone Hall, public toilets and playgrounds on-site. A creekline runs through, and the reserve connects to the Tarralla Creek Trail for a longer leashed walk.

Getting there. The reserve is around 16-30 Hueske Street, Croydon, with parking on-site and easy access through the Arndale shopping centre car park. It is a short walk from Croydon Station on the Lilydale line.

Watch-outs. It is unfenced and sits beside a busy precinct and roads, so keep recall sharp and stay clear of the shared paths and playground buffers. The area is used for formal training and school sport; leash up near the action when that is on.

When to go. Early morning and late afternoon on weekends are busiest. A weekday mid-morning is calmer. Good for a quick central run, best for dogs with reliable recall given the open, unfenced setting.

Sources

• Town Park | Maroondah City Council · maroondah.vic.gov.au
• Off-leash dog parks and areas - Maroondah City Council · maroondah.vic.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.