Victoria Gardens Dog Off Leash Area

Victoria Gardens is a historic Stonnington park at 52 Murray Street, Prahran, where the central sunken oval is the designated off-leash area. The steep grassy banks around the oval act as a soft boundary, which is the main reason locals rate it for a contained run despite there being no fence.

The rules. Off-leash applies only to the central sunken oval. Dogs must be on-leash everywhere else in the gardens, including the surrounding paths and garden beds, and are not allowed in the fenced Lumley children's playground. Keep your dog under effective voice control and pick up after it.

What's there. There are fresh water taps for dogs, benches and mature trees for shade, and public toilets on site. The oval itself is unfenced, so the sloped banks are the only thing containing an excited dog, worth bearing in mind for a strong runner or a poor recaller.

Getting there. Street parking runs along Murray Street. Trams on High Street sit right beside the gardens, and Prahran Station is roughly a 15 to 20 minute walk.

When to go. The oval is busiest on weekday mornings, early evenings and weekends, and quietest through the middle of the day. For a calmer session with a nervous dog, skip the weekend 9 to 11am rush.

Sources

• Victoria Gardens - City of Stonnington · stonnington.vic.gov.au

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