Fig Lane Park

Fig Lane Park is a small pocket park on the corner of Jones and Fig Streets in Ultimo, and it is a genuine off-leash area at all times under City of Sydney rules. For anyone living in the apartment blocks around Broadway and Wattle Street, it is the most useful patch of green within reach of the front door.

The dog setup

Off-leash applies 24 hours, but dogs still need to be under effective control and kept out of the fenced children's playground. Bins are on site, though carrying a spare bag is smart. There is no dedicated dog water bowl or wash, so carry water on hot days. The park itself is compact: a grassed area, shaded bench seating, a barbecue and the playground at one end.

Max: it is a small block hemmed in by roads on most sides, so keep an eye on gates and traffic even though it is technically off-leash.

Getting there and parking

The address is 320 to 334 Jones Street, Ultimo. Street parking on Jones Street is narrow and limited, so the light rail is the easier option: Wentworth Park stop is a short walk away, and several bus routes run along nearby Broadway and Wattle Street.

The vibe

This is a neighbourhood park with a calm, well-kept feel, framed by terrace housing and used by locals through the day. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays is the quiet window. Given the size, it is a quick leg-stretch between errands rather than a long outing, and it pairs naturally with a walk down to the Pyrmont waterfront.

While you're out there

For coffee with the dog on the footpath, Quarry St Cafe is a few minutes' walk away. For a longer run, Giba Park across in Pyrmont sits on the water, and the Pyrmont to Darling Harbour Foreshore walk makes a good second leg.

More options are on the New South Wales dog parks guide and the Ultimo destination page.