Nettleton Park Dog Off Leash Area

Nettleton Park is an unfenced off-leash reserve on Dawson Drive in Glen Iris, sitting right on Gardiners Creek. Its defining feature is the combination of a wide open oval to run on and direct creek access for dogs that like water, all with a car park at the gate, which is a rare package so close to the city.

The dog setup

Off-leash applies on the central open oval, and dogs must be on-leash elsewhere in the park. There is no perimeter fence, so reliable recall matters, especially with the creek and the shared paths in play. Keep dogs off the oval during organised sport, carry a lead at all times, and stick to the two dogs per person limit that City of Boroondara expects. The council does not always stock bags on site, so bring your own.

The creek runs along the edge with some steep banks, so watch weaker swimmers near the water, and after rain the ground turns muddy enough to warrant packing a towel. Around the oval you get a drinking-water fountain with a low dog bowl, public toilets, seating, and an unfenced children's playground.

Max: no fence and a creek with steep spots means this is a recall park, not a switch-off park. If your dog is still learning to come back, keep to the middle of the oval and away from the bank.

The vibe

This is a busy, social park by inner-east standards. The peak windows are weekday mornings, the 5pm to 7pm evening rush, and weekend mornings, when the oval fills with regulars. For a quieter run with fewer dogs, aim for a weekday mid-morning or early afternoon. The sports ground hosts cricket and football through the seasons, so check the oval is free before unclipping.

Getting there and parking

By car, follow Gardiner Parade to Dawson Drive; there is a car park at the park plus street parking around Dawson Drive and Gardiner Parade, with wheelchair-accessible entry points. Gardiner Station on the Glen Waverley line is a short walk, and the park sits directly on the Gardiners Creek Trail, which makes it an easy stop for walkers and riders coming along the corridor.

Close by with the dogs

The Gardiner Park off-leash area is nearby along the same creek, and Central Park at Malvern East is another oval run close by. The Gardiners Creek Trail turns a visit into a proper long walk.

More options are on the Victoria dog parks guide and the Glen Iris destination page.