Thomas Oval Fenced Dog Park

The short version. Thomas Oval is a fully fenced, double-gated off-leash park at the southern end of Como Park, right on the banks of the Yarra at 308-312 Alexandra Avenue. It is the pick in South Yarra if you want a secure run rather than voice-control parkland, and it splits into an active zone and a calmer quiet zone so smaller or shyer dogs are not swamped.

The rules. Dogs are off-leash inside the fenced area only. The surrounding Como Park parkland is on-leash, so clip up before you leave the gates. Entry is through airlock-style double gates - close the first behind you before opening the second, since this is the whole point of a fenced park. Owners keep voice control and pick up after their dogs. Some council planning documents flag the agility features (the dry riverbed and boulders) as intended for dogs over 12 months, though it is not strictly enforced.

What is there. A drinking fountain with a fillable dog bowl, bench seating (limited when it is busy), and natural play features including a feature redgum log, a boulder-strewn dry riverbed and native planting. The oval has floodlights, so it stays usable into the evening. There are no public toilets inside the fence.

Getting there. Street parking along Alexandra Avenue is limited, with a Como Park car park nearby. The 58 tram along Toorak Road is a short walk, and South Yarra Station is roughly a 15-20 minute walk. The Capital City Trail runs past, so it is easy to fold into a river walk or ride.

When to go. Weekday evenings after work and weekend mornings from about 10am to 2pm are busiest. For a nervous dog, aim for a weekday morning or late afternoon and use the mulched quiet zone. Good for a secure run when you do not trust the recall yet.

Sources

• Como Park and Thomas Oval Dog Park - City of Stonnington · stonnington.vic.gov.au
• Thomas Oval - Dedicated Dog Park | Connect Stonnington · connectstonnington.vic.gov.au
• Thomas Oval Dog Park - Landscape Architecture · hansenpartnership.com.au

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