Forestville Park

Forestville Park is the local name for the Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields on Melwood Avenue, a large sportsground-and-bushland precinct that doubles as one of the Northern Beaches' better-used dog spaces. Between the footie fields, bike trails and a dedicated off-leash area, it is a proper morning-to-evening dog spot rather than a quick pit stop.

The rules. The fenced Purple Poppy Dog Park within the grounds is off-leash 24 hours a day. The adjoining Field 3 off-leash section runs 10pm to 8am on weekdays and 10pm to 7am on weekends, on-leash the rest of the time. Dogs are banned outright from the synthetic sports fields at any hour, and owners are asked to keep control of no more than four dogs each and clean up after them.

What's there. Free on-site parking, public toilets, picnic tables and a skate park sit alongside the fields, with water available at the Purple Poppy enclosure. The wider grounds also carry bush walking tracks and bike trails if your dog is happy to stay on-leash for a longer loop.

Getting there. The park is on Melwood Avenue, reached via Warringah Road or Forest Way. Sydney Buses services on Forest Way (routes including 270, 271 and 280) stop within walking distance.

Nearby with the dogs. Forestway Shopping Centre, about 1.2 kilometres away, has a handful of cafes with outdoor tables, and Frenchs Forest Veterinary Hospital is close by if you need it.

Weekday mornings after 8am and quieter afternoons give Field 3 more breathing room. Weekends and weekday evenings are the busiest, so head for the fenced Purple Poppy area if your dog needs more space to itself.

Sources

• Forestville War Memorial Playing Fields (Field 3 and Purple Poppy) Dog Area · northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
• Dogs and Dog Off-leash Areas | Northern Beaches Council · northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

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