Allnutt Park Dog Off Leash Area

Allnutt Park splits its loyalties neatly: the northern half is open off leash country for McKinnon dogs, while the southern end, with the playground, BBQs and picnic shelters, stays on leash. The result is a park that works for both camps at once, with flat grassy terrain, patches of shade and dedicated dog water feeders making it an easy everyday outing rather than a special trip.

The dog setup

The northern section is where the leash comes off, under Glen Eira's standard conditions: effective voice or hand control at all times and a leash carried with you. There is no fence separating the off leash zone from the rest of the park, and the boundary near the playground and BBQ area is open grass, so keep an eye on dogs who like to drift. Leash up within 20 metres of the playground, BBQs and picnic settings anywhere in the reserve, and stay out of the fenced playground entirely. The southern end also holds the public toilets, undercover picnic shelters and age separated playgrounds, so the human half of the family is well catered for. Bag dispensers and bins sit at the entrances.

The vibe

This is a local park doing its job quietly well: green lawns, room for a proper run, and a regular crowd of neighbourhood dogs who mostly know the drill. Weekday afternoons from 4 to 6 and weekend mornings from 9 to 11 draw the biggest turnouts; mid week mornings are the quiet window. Even at peak times the open northern section absorbs the crowd, so it rarely feels cramped.

Getting there and parking

The park is at 33 Wheatley Road, McKinnon, with street parking along Wheatley Road and the surrounding streets. It is an easy walk from either McKinnon or Bentleigh station on the Frankston line, and buses along Jasper Road and Centre Road pass close by if you are arriving from a suburb over.

Max: The off leash and on leash sections are not fenced apart, so watch the boundary near the playground and BBQ area, especially with ball chasers.

Close by with the dogs

Cafes along Jasper Road and McKinnon Road are a five to ten minute walk with outdoor tables that take dogs. If one park is not enough, McKinnon Reserve's off leash oval is minutes away, and Victory Park and Halley Park in Bentleigh both add off leash space to a longer loop. Grab a coffee at Parkcafe & Gelato on the way home. More options are listed under McKinnon and across Victoria.