Swanston Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Swanston Reserve is a big, elevated sports ground on Swanston Street in Templestowe Lower that doubles as one of Manningham's off-leash areas whenever the oval is not in use. At roughly 200 by 90 metres of open grass it gives dogs genuine room to run, though it is a shared ground rather than a purpose-built dog park, so the sporting calendar shapes when you can use it.

The dog setup

Dogs can run off-leash on the ground under effective voice control, but only when no organised sport, training or booked game is on; during play the oval itself is off-limits to dogs. Keep your dog leashed within 15 metres of the playground and barbecue area, and on-lead across the rest of the reserve. Bring your own waste bags and use the bins near the pavilion.

A walking track loops the field, and the reserve has a pavilion, public toilets, a barbecue shelter, picnic tables and an adjacent playground. There is no reliable water tap or dog fountain, so pack water for your dog.

The vibe

This is a local sporting ground with dog-walkers in the gaps, not a dedicated dog park: expect footballers and cricketers on the weekends their games run, and mostly dog owners early on weekdays and Sunday mornings. The field is completely unshaded, so summer afternoons get hot fast.

Pepsi: check the fixture before you go. A booked ground with dogs locked out is a common complaint here.

Getting there and parking

Main access is off Swanston Street with a second entry from Alison Avenue, and street parking is generally available along Swanston Street. Bus routes along Templestowe Road are a short walk away.

While you're out there

For a fully fenced alternative, Banksia Park Fenced Dog Park in Bulleen is a double-gated hectare a few minutes away, and Ruffey Lake Park adds bushland walking tracks to the off-leash mix. Ted Ajani Reserve is the other off-leash option in Templestowe Lower.

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