Sabina Park

Sabina Park, off Ellis Park Avenue in Mulgrave, is a quiet residential off-leash reserve in the City of Monash: a grassy open patch with scattered trees, open around the clock for a relaxed run rather than a big adventure.

Leash status

Dogs can be off-leash in the designated area, but Monash rules require effective voice or hand control with your dog in sight at all times. You must carry a lead of no more than 1.5 metres, bring dogs back on-lead within 20 metres of playground equipment in use and within 10 metres of shared trails, and pick up after them. The reserve is largely unfenced with homes on every side, so it rewards a reliable recall and does not suit bolters.

The dog setup

This is a plain neighbourhood green and better for it: open grass for fetch, enough tree cover for a summer morning, and informal bench seating. There are no water taps, no agility gear and no fenced small-dog section, so bring your own water and set your expectations at a friendly local kickabout rather than a facility.

Max: no fence and driveways close by, so lock the recall in before the lead comes off here.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking runs along Ellis Park Avenue and the surrounding streets, and the park is a short hop off the M1 for anyone passing through Melbourne's southeast. Buses along Springvale Road or Waverley Road put you within a short walk.

When to go

Weekday evenings, Friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons are the quiet windows. Sunday mornings and Saturday afternoons draw the most local dogs, which is either the draw or the dealbreaker depending on yours.

While you're out there

For a fenced alternative nearby, the Tirhatuan Park Fenced Dog Park at Dandenong North is the closest secure run. The Gladeswood Reserve and Whitehaven Crescent Reserve cover the other Mulgrave off-leash spots. Troublemaker Cafe and Little Mavros both do the coffee leg on the way home.

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