Scovell Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Scovell Reserve is a medium-sized community park at 45 Scovell Crescent in Maidstone, in Melbourne's inner west, built around a broad cricket and soccer oval that doubles as a designated dog off-leash area. For owners who want open running space without the organised chaos of the bigger dog parks, it is the practical no-fuss pick.

The dog setup

The off-leash zone is unfenced and covers the oval, so the whole thing rests on recall. Maribyrnong City Council requires dogs in sight and under effective voice or hand control, a physical lead carried at all times, and a lead no longer than three metres when clipped on. Dogs go back on lead within 30 metres of the playground and near the picnic and barbecue areas, and on lead whenever organised sport or an event is running on the oval. Waste pickup applies as everywhere; bring your own bags because the supply is not guaranteed.

Max: check the fixtures before you go. A junior soccer match takes the whole oval out of play, and there is no second fenced yard to fall back on here.

What is there

Genuine space: the oval gives fetch dogs and sprinters a full run, with a sports pavilion at the edge and picnic tables and barbecues around the perimeter. There are no gates at all, which makes entry easy with multiple dogs but reinforces the recall requirement. The adjacent playground has fenced and unfenced sections, so watch where children are playing before you unclip. An accessible entrance and accessible parking sit on site.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Scovell Crescent and the adjoining streets, and bus routes along Ashley Street and Mitchell Street stop within a short walk. The reserve is open around the clock with no gates, so early and late sessions are always possible.

When to go

Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings draw the social crowd of regulars, while Tuesday afternoons, Thursday mornings and Friday evenings stay quiet. Cricket and soccer seasons decide the weekend reliability, so if the oval is booked, plan around it.

More walks nearby

For a fenced alternative, the Francis St Fully Fenced Dog Park in Yarraville solves the recall problem, and the huge ovals of the Hansen Reserve Dog Off Leash Area in West Footscray offer even more running room. The Maribyrnong River Trail makes a good leashed warm-up loop.

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