BJ Hubbard Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

BJ Hubbard Reserve at 49 Evelyn Road, Ringwood North, is a 7.2-hectare bushland reserve where the open oval and recreation area are designated off-leash. It is quieter and more natural than the fenced suburban parks nearby, which suits a dog that wants space rather than a social scrum. It is unfenced though, so reliable recall is the price of entry.

The rules

Off the lead, your dog must stay in sight and under effective voice or hand control. Leads go back on within 15 metres of the playground, barbecue and picnic areas, on shared paths, and through the bushland tracks that ring the reserve.

If the oval is booked for organised sport or training, the off-leash status pauses and dogs go on lead. Carry a lead at all times and pick up after your dog; bags are not supplied.

The scout hall sits on the grounds, so expect kids and activity around it on meeting nights. The bush tracks themselves are lovely but strictly on-lead, both for wildlife and for the narrow, uneven surface.

The dog setup

The off-leash zone is a grassy oval ringed by mature trees, with compacted gravel paths and narrower nature trails for an on-lead warm-up. Water cannot be relied on here and there are no public toilets, so bring your own bowl, water and bags.

Max: unfenced and backing onto thick bush. Great for a quiet run, not a place to test a bolter. Long lead near the edges if recall is patchy.

Getting there and parking

Drive in off Evelyn Road or Kubis Drive to the small on-site car park. Buses along Wonga Road and Warrandyte Road leave a short walk to the entrance.

Close by with the dogs

For a fully fenced session, Parkwood Fenced Dog Park on Tortice Drive has separate play areas and agility gear, and Mahon Reserve is another off-leash option in the suburb.

The Warrandyte Road strip handles coffee afterwards: Slow Lane Coffee and This Little Kitchen both sit a short drive from the gate.

Weekday mid-mornings and later weekend mornings are the calmest windows, with early mornings and the 4pm to 6pm stretch the busiest. More options are on the VIC parks guide and the Ringwood North destination page.