Elms Court Dog Park

Elms Court Dog Park sits inside Elms Court Reserve in Gowanbrae, a fully fenced off-leash space split into two separate sections so you can match your dog to the right crowd. It is a solid, well-maintained suburban park built for regular use rather than a special-occasion trip.

The dog setup

The fenced area divides into two distinct grassed runs broken up with landscaping, so a young high-drive dog can take the busier section while quieter or smaller dogs use the other. Sandpits and basic agility equipment your dog can jump on or walk over are distributed inside the fence.

A shared water fountain serves handlers and dogs, and each fenced section has its own undercover shelter and benches, which counts for plenty on a 35-degree afternoon or a drizzly winter morning. Waste bins sit at the gate entrances.

Worth knowing

Off-leash exercise is permitted inside the fenced area only; step out into the wider reserve and your dog goes back on the lead. Merri-bek Council requires constant supervision and a leash carried at all times, and dogs must stay 15 metres clear of the playground in the broader reserve.

Max: do a quick check of the fence line before you let your dog off the lead, especially after wind or heavy rain, and make sure the gate is properly closed behind you before anyone unclips.

Getting there and parking

The address is Elms Court, Gowanbrae, with street parking running along the court itself. From further afield, the Tullamarine Freeway or Sharps Road gets you there without fuss.

Crowds peak on Saturday and Sunday mornings and afternoons, so aim for a weekday if you want a calmer session. Friday evenings are typically the quietest window of the week and a good slot for working on recall around moderate distraction.

While you're out there

The reserve outside the fence adds public toilets, a playground, and basketball and netball courts, so the trip works as a family outing. If the two runs here are both busy, Kingsford Smith Ulm Reserve Dog Off Leash Area at Glenroy offers a similar two-section fenced setup, while JP Fawkner Reserve Dog Off Leash Area at Oak Park and Alf Pearce Reserve Fenced Dog Park in Strathmore cover the surrounding suburbs.

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