Lawrie Emmins Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Lawrie Emmins Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is a large, unfenced grassy space on Old Geelong Road in Laverton North, in Melbourne's south west. There is no fancy equipment here; the appeal is sheer room to run, and it suits owners who want a quiet, functional outing for a dog with reliable recall.

The dog setup

Because the area is unfenced, dogs must be under effective voice control at all times and responsive to recall. Keep your dog leashed when entering and leaving the zone and carry a leash with you throughout the visit. The 10 metre rule applies near playground equipment and BBQ areas, and dogs must not chase wildlife. Bins are provided but can overflow at busy times, so be ready to carry rubbish out. Bring your own water bottle and bowl, and plenty of bags; water access is scarce.

Worth knowing

The lack of fencing is the main thing to weigh up. The reserve borders open ground and sporting uses, including archery and model vehicle clubs, so a dog that bolts or has a strong prey drive is better suited to one of the fenced parks nearby. Seating inside the off-leash area is limited and shade is minimal, which makes the open flat ground a genuine heat trap on sunny days. Skip the middle of the day in warmer months and keep sessions shorter when the sun is high. Weekday evenings tend to be the quietest window; weekend mornings and Sunday afternoons draw the crowds.

Pepsi: pack a filled water bottle and a collapsible bowl before you leave home, because there is not much shade here to rest in.

Getting there and parking

The reserve sits at 191 Old Geelong Road, just off the Princes Freeway (M1), with accessible parking on site. The wider reserve is a big multi-sport precinct with courts, playing fields and a skate park, so expect other users around the edges of the dog area. Aircraft and Laverton stations are the nearest rail options, though each needs a short drive or taxi to close the gap.

Close by with the dogs

If your dog needs a fence, Saltwater Reserve Fenced Dog Park at Point Cook is a short drive away, and Williams Landing Reserve Fenced Dog Park is another secure option. For a post-walk coffee, Bezirk Cafe in Altona has dog-friendly outdoor seating.

More options across the state are on the Victorian dog parks guide, and the local area is covered on the Laverton North destination page.