Hallam Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Hallam Reserve is a large open sports oval on Landells Road in Pascoe Vale, run by Merri-bek City Council, with dogs allowed off lead across the ground whenever organised sport is not in progress. Its best feature is the position: the Merri Creek Trail runs straight past the reserve, so a quick run on the oval can turn into a proper creek-side walk.

The dog setup

This is an unfenced off leash area, not a gated dog park, so dogs need solid recall and to stay under effective voice or hand control the whole time. You must carry a lead, and dogs have to come back on lead within 15 metres of the playground and of any organised sport using the oval.

There is a water tap with a dog bowl near the pavilion and shaded seating nearby, but no bag dispenser, so bring your own waste bags. Bins are on site for the pickup.

Max: an unfenced oval sitting next to a creek trail is a recall test, not a safe pen. If your dog chases bikes, birds or cats, keep the lead on here.

Worth knowing

The oval is shared with the Pascoe Vale Football Club and other community users, and dogs come off the ground whenever a game or training session is on. Weekend mornings in football season get busy, so weekday afternoons are the quiet window if your dog is unsure around crowds or balls flying past.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Landells Road, with the main access off Cumberland Road. Buses along Cumberland Road and Devon Road stop within walking distance, and if you are already on the Merri Creek Trail you can walk straight in without a car at all.

While you are out there

For a fenced alternative nearby, K W Joyce Reserve Dog Off Leash Area and Austin Crescent Reserve Dog Off Leash Area are both a short drive away in Pascoe Vale. After the walk, Ferrovia Cafe is a dog-friendly coffee stop close to the reserve.

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