C.W. Kirkwood Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

C.W. Kirkwood Reserve is a small neighbourhood off-leash park in Kingsbury, with paved paths through open grass, shade trees and Edgars Creek running alongside. It is a good local top-up walk rather than a destination park, and it works best if your dog already has solid recall around other walkers.

The dog setup

The designated off-leash area is unfenced, set within a quiet reserve with bins and bench seating provided. There is no guaranteed water tap, so bring your own bowl and water. Darebin City Council lists the reserve in its parks directory, and its standard pets-in-parks rules apply here.

The rules at the park

Dogs may run off lead within the designated area but must stay at least 10 metres from playgrounds and shared paths, and keep clear of other park users rather than rushing up to them. Carry a lead at all times and clip it back on before leaving the zone. Dogs must be under effective voice or hand control, and aggressive, sick, unvaccinated or on-heat dogs are not permitted. Council fines apply for uncollected waste.

Max: this is a shared-path park, not a fenced run, so don't unclip if recall is shaky. Call the dog back when walkers pass and it is a very easy visit.

Getting there and parking

The reserve sits off Dunne Street near Danebank Street and Scott Grove, with free street parking along Dunne Street. The Route 86 tram on Plenty Road stops within walking distance, and local buses also service the area. John Hall Reserve with its sporting ovals sits directly opposite.

Worth knowing

Because the reserve shares paths with regular walkers, keep an eye out and call your dog back when others pass. Quietest times are early mornings and mid-afternoons on weekdays; weekday peaks between 7am and 9am and 4pm and 6pm, plus weekend mornings, draw the most local dogs. It suits a quick, low-key leg-stretch rather than a big-dog run.

Close by with the dogs

For a bigger session, Judith Scott Memorial Park is another Kingsbury option, and Bundoora Park has a fenced enclosure a short drive north. For coffee after, Lady Bower in Reservoir is dog friendly.

More ideas on the Victoria dog parks list or around Kingsbury.