Central Park Dog Off Leash Area

Central Park is a large Stonnington open space on the corner of Burke Road and Wattletree Road in Malvern East, built around a cricket oval with a perimeter path and mature shade trees. It is a busy, social local park, and the off-leash area is unfenced, so reliable recall near the surrounding roads is the main thing to get right.

The rules. Off-leash is allowed in the designated reserve areas; keep dogs on-lead on arrival and in the surrounding streets. Dogs must stay off the cricket oval during training, matches and events, and out of the fenced playground entirely. Carry a lead, keep your dog under voice control, and note the limit of four dogs per person. Bins and bags are provided.

What is there. A drinking fountain with a dog bowl sits near the walking track, and a well-kept gravel path circles the main off-leash area. Mature trees give solid shade, with benches around the perimeter. The children's playground is fenced and off-limits to dogs.

Getting there. Free street parking is on Central Park Road and Wattletree Road, so check the signed time limits. Route 5 trams stop at Wattletree Road and Burke Road, and Darling station is a 10 to 15 minute walk.

Watch-outs. The park is large and unfenced with busy roads on its edges, so dogs need dependable recall before going off-lead near the periphery.

When to go. Weekdays during business hours or later evenings are quietest. Sunday through the day, weeknights after 5pm and Saturday mornings are the busiest.

Sources

• Off-lead parks and reserves - City of Stonnington · stonnington.vic.gov.au
• People and pets in public spaces - Connect Stonnington · connectstonnington.vic.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.