G.H. Mott Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

G.H. Mott Reserve is a long, open off-leash space in central Preston just off Bell Street, used heavily by locals who want a flat, grassy run for their dogs without leaving the inner north. The headline detail for anyone sizing it up: it is unfenced, and Bell Street traffic runs along the boundary.

The dog setup

The reserve is a big grassy rectangle, roughly 250 by 60 metres, wrapping around a playground on its eastern side with a handful of shady trees. Dogs may be off-leash under effective voice control, which is the operative requirement given the open boundary: recall has to be real here, not theoretical. Anyone with a flight-risk dog should keep to the far side of the reserve or pick a fenced park instead.

The rules

Darebin's standard off-leash conditions apply: carry a leash, pick up, and keep clear of the playground, where a 15-metre buffer excludes dogs. When organised sport or training is running on the reserve, dogs need to be on-leash or out of the way entirely.

Max: no fence and Bell Street traffic right alongside means recall matters here. If your dog's recall is shaky, keep to the far side of the reserve away from the road.

Facilities

There is a drinking fountain with a dog bowl, benches, bins and paved paths, and public toilets on site. Lighting is minimal, so evenings end early in winter, and the ground turns to mud after rain, which is worth remembering before your dog rolls in it.

Getting there and parking

The reserve fronts Bell Street with access from Patterson Street, and parking is limited to street spaces on the surrounding residential blocks. Preston station on the Mernda line is a 15 to 20 minute walk, and the 11 tram along St Georges Road stops close by, so public transport works as well as a car.

When to go

Weekday evenings from about 5pm and weekend mornings are the busiest windows, which suits social dogs but can overwhelm a nervous one. Mid-week and the middle of the day are noticeably calmer.

Close by with the dogs

For other off-lead options in the neighbourhood, the A.G. Davis Park Dog Off-Leash Area and the A.H. Capp Reserve Dog Off-Leash Area near the Merri Creek Trail are both a short drive away. For coffee afterwards, Red Bean Coffee Roaster roasts its own in Preston.

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