Bladin Street Park Dog Off Leash Area

Bladin Street Park's off-leash area is a quiet stretch of open parkland in Laverton, south of Laverton Creek and across from McCormack Park. It is a designated unrestricted off-leash area under Hobsons Bay City Council rules, which makes it a straightforward neighbourhood run for dogs with dependable recall.

The dog setup

Unrestricted means dogs can be off lead, but they must stay under effective voice control at all times and you are expected to carry a leash. Keep dogs on lead on the surrounding streets and paths.

The area is not fully fenced, and the boundaries run partly open toward the creek. Rabbits and foxes do turn up, which matters if your dog has a strong prey drive, so this suits dogs who come back when called rather than first-time off-lead outings.

What is there

A dog bag dispenser and waste bins sit near the entrance, with open grass, mature shade trees and a few benches. A drinking fountain is on site, and the reserve also has a small playground with climbing gear for the two-legged members of the party.

There are no public toilets at the reserve itself; the nearest are at McCormack Park, which also has a skatepark.

Getting there

Access is off Old Geelong Road via Bladin Street, with street parking along Bladin Street and the surrounding residential streets. Laverton Station, served by metropolitan and V/Line trains, is a moderate walk or a short drive away.

When to go

Saturday and Monday mornings and weekday afternoons see the most use. Sunday afternoons and weekday evenings are quieter and better for nervous dogs.

More in the area

The larger Hobsons Bay unrestricted off-leash area covers more ground in the same suburb, while the Saltwater Reserve fenced dog park at Point Cook is the pick if your dog needs a secure boundary.

For coffee after the run, Bacis Coffee at Seaholme is close by on the way back toward the bay.

More reserves like this sit on the Victoria dog park guide, and the suburb's other listings are on the Laverton destination page.