Anderson Park off leash dog area

Anderson Park on Anderson Road in Hawthorn East pairs a playground and city skyline views with two ovals, one of which is generally the designated off-leash zone when sport is not being played.

The rules. Off-leash access applies to the designated oval only, and dogs go back on lead everywhere else in the park, including whenever an organised match or training session has that oval booked. Keep at least 10 metres from the playground, carry your own waste bags rather than relying on the park to have them, and keep dogs under voice control throughout, per City of Boroondara local laws.

What's there. Drinking taps for dogs, benches and picnic tables, a barbecue, and public toilets near the playground. The western oval has some tree shade, the other sits more exposed below the eastern bank's stone walls.

Getting there. Free street parking is generally easy to find around Widford Street and Constance Street, though it tightens up during school pickup and drop-off given the playground's popularity.

Nearby with the dogs. Hawthorn East and the Camberwell Junction strip nearby have a good spread of dog-friendly cafes for a coffee after, and there are pet-friendly serviced apartments around Hawthorn and Auburn if you are staying locally.

Weekday evenings, especially Wednesday and Thursday, draw the biggest after-work crowd, while Sunday evenings are usually the quietest time to visit. Check which oval is off-leash before you arrive, since that swaps with the sports calendar.

Sources

• Anderson Park | City of Boroondara · boroondara.vic.gov.au
• Boroondara Council Dog Off Leash Areas · melbourneplaygrounds.com.au

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