McKinnon Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

McKinnon Reserve hands Glen Eira dog owners something surprisingly rare: a full size oval where the leash can come off for the whole visit. The southern oval, at the Tucker Road end of the reserve, is the designated off leash area, and at roughly 150 metres across it is big enough for a genuine gallop rather than a polite trot. The reserve stays open around the clock, so early starters and after dinner walkers both get their turn.

The dog setup

The southern oval is unfenced, bordered by a tree line rather than a perimeter fence, so this is a recall test before it is a romp. A dividing fence separates it from the northern oval near McKinnon Road, which stays on leash at all times, but the fence has gaps, so do not lean on it to contain a wanderer. Rules are the standard Glen Eira set: dogs under effective voice control, leash carried even while your dog runs free, leash back on within 20 metres of the playground, BBQs, picnic areas and any active sport, and no dogs inside the fenced playground at all. If a cricket or football side is training on the oval, you will need to clip on and move off the main surface. A water tap and bowl sit near the pavilion beside the car park, and waste bins are in the same spot.

The vibe

This is a neighbourhood oval rather than a destination dog park, and it reads that way in the best sense: locals with well socialised dogs, kids at the northern playground, and space to spread out. Weekday afternoons between 4:30 and 6:30 and weekend mornings are the busy windows; midday on a weekday you can often have the oval nearly to yourself. Seating around the off leash side is limited, so bring a rug if you plan to linger.

Getting there and parking

The reserve sits at 226 Tucker Road, McKinnon, with a car park off Tucker Road right next to the off leash oval, which makes unloading an excitable dog painless. McKinnon station on the Frankston line is a 10 to 15 minute walk, and buses run along Jasper Road and McKinnon Road if you are coming from further afield.

Pepsi: Wide open oval with no fence to the tree line, so a proper run if your dog has solid recall. Mind the gaps in the dividing fence near the on leash end.

Close by with the dogs

The McKinnon and Ormond shopping strips along McKinnon Road and North Road are a short drive away, with cafes that welcome dogs at outdoor tables, including The Ormond Provedore Cafe. If you want to make a morning of it, EE Gunn Reserve in Ormond and Hodgson Reserve are both easy to add to the loop. See what else is on offer across McKinnon or browse more off leash parks in Victoria.