K.P. Hardiman Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

K.P. Hardiman Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is a 24-hour off-leash ground on Gertz Avenue in Kingsbury, in Melbourne's northern suburbs, bordering Darebin Creek. The main off-leash zone sits in the northeastern section of the reserve, a stretch of open grass that locals treat as their ball-throwing field, with walking paths connecting through to the Darebin Creek Trail.

The dog setup

The off-leash area runs around the clock, but Darebin City Council's park rules frame it: dogs under effective voice control and supervised at all times, a lead carried and fitted before you leave the designated zone, and no off-lead time for aggressive, unwell or on-heat dogs. Keep 10 metres clear of playgrounds and shared paths, and further back from barbecue areas. Seating, rubbish and recycling bins sit around the reserve, and cleanup is expected. There is no dedicated dog water, so bring your own.

The vibe

This is a local residents' park rather than a destination dog ground, and it follows the commuter rhythm: busiest from 7 to 9 in the morning and 4 to 6 in the late afternoon, quieter mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays when there is room for a proper game of fetch. The creek-side setting gives it a greener feel than most suburban ovals, though the ground near the water holds moisture, so expect a muddy dog after rain.

Pepsi: The open grass here is great for fetch, just watch for mud near the creek edge after rain.

Getting there and parking

Access is off Gertz Avenue, near the end of Separation Street, with street parking along Gertz Avenue. Local buses run along Gertz Avenue, and the Route 86 tram on Plenty Road is a short walk away. La Trobe University's Bundoora campus is just up the road, and the reserve sits at the quiet end of the Kingsbury residential grid.

Close by with the dogs

The off-lead run at Judith Scott Memorial Park Dog Off Leash Area is in the same suburb near Merri Creek, and the fenced dog play park at Edwardes Lake Park Dog Off-Lead Area is a short drive north at Reservoir. Following Darebin Creek south, the Darebin Parklands Dog Off Leash Area at Alphington is the flagship stretch of the same corridor.

See more dog parks in Victoria or check Kingsbury for dogs.