Willsmere Park Dog Off Leash Area

Willsmere Park is a large, unfenced off-leash reserve at 27 Willow Grove in Kew East, sitting along the Yarra River corridor and bordering the Green Acres Golf Club. Big open lawns, concrete paths and shade trees make it a staple for local dog socialising, with a sportsground, playground and historical billabongs sharing the reserve.

The rules

Under City of Boroondara rules, dogs can be off lead across the park at any time provided they are under effective voice control and you carry a lead. Dogs are not allowed on the sporting ovals during organised training or matches, are never permitted inside the playground, and must be leashed within 10 metres of the playground perimeter. Give in-use barbecues and picnic areas a wide berth, 30 metres under the council guidelines, and clean up with the bins provided.

Max: the park is unfenced and backs onto a golf course, so scan for stray golf balls along the boundary before you let anyone off lead.

What's on site

There is a small car park off Willow Grove, drinking fountains, park benches and scattered shade trees, plus an on-site playground for families. The paths towards the Yarra River leave the main oval behind and give the river red gum stretch a quieter feel, and water-loving dogs get shallows along the river edge.

Getting there and parking

The park is reached off the Eastern Freeway or High Street, with parking on Willow Grove. The 48 and 109 trams run along High Street and Studley Park Road, both a short walk from the park, so arriving without a car is realistic.

Worth knowing

Weekday mornings between about 7:30am and 9am and evenings from 4:30pm to 6:30pm are the busiest windows, along with weekend mid-mornings. Cricket season brings organised sport to the oval, which shrinks the usable off-lead area on match days. Because nothing is fenced, this suits dogs with reliable recall.

Pair it with

Hays Paddock Dog Off Leash Area on Longstaff Street is the other major Kew East off-leash option with wetlands and walking tracks, and Hay and Hide Cafe on Kilby Road welcomes dogs inside and out. Willo Cafe on Willsmere Road is an easy walk from the park gates.

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