McKinnon Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

McKinnon Reserve's southern oval is an open, unfenced off-leash area roughly 150 metres square, bordered by trees, at the Tucker Road end of the reserve. The northern end near McKinnon Road stays on-leash, and a dedicated car park sits right by the off-leash section.

The rules: Dogs must be under effective voice control at all times when off-leash, and you need to carry a leash with you even while your dog is running free. Leash up within 20 metres of BBQs, playgrounds, picnic areas or sports facilities, and keep dogs out of fenced playgrounds. If there's an organised sporting event or training session on the oval, dogs must be leashed for that too. Pick up after your dog using the bins provided.

What's there: A water tap and bowl sit near the pavilion by the car park. Dog waste bins are also at the pavilion/car park area. Perimeter seating is limited, and there's a dividing fence between the on-leash and off-leash sections, though it has gaps, so don't rely on it to contain a dog with poor recall.

Getting there: The reserve is at 226 Tucker Road, McKinnon, with a car park off Tucker Road right next to the off-leash oval. McKinnon station on the Frankston line is a 10-15 minute walk, and bus routes run along Jasper Road and McKinnon Road.

Nearby with the dogs: Cafes in the McKinnon and Ormond shopping strips along McKinnon Road and North Road have outdoor seating that works for dogs. There's no pet-friendly accommodation directly nearby, but Bentleigh and Ormond have options, confirm at booking.

Weekday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:30pm and weekend mornings are busiest, while weekdays between 10am and 3pm are quiet. The car park fills up during weekend sports seasons, so be ready to park on Tucker Road instead. Good for dogs that want an open run without a full fence.

Sources

• Dog walking and off leash areas - Glen Eira City Council · gleneira.vic.gov.au
• McKinnon Reserve - Glen Eira City Council · gleneira.vic.gov.au
• Your guide to dog on and off-leash parks in Glen Eira · gleneira.vic.gov.au

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