Frank Smith Park

Frank Smith Park on Magarey Road mixes an open oval with wetland, a duck pond and a dam where turtles gather, and its tracks link to longer walks along the Sturt River.

Leads and the off-lead area

The City of Onkaparinga lets dogs off lead on the large central oval and grassed area. On the informal tracks and around the wetland, pond and creek, the lead stays on.

The walk

Tracks are unsealed, a mix of dirt paths, fire tracks and grass, winding under big gums that shade much of the park.

Drinking fountains sit near the main recreation and playground area, bins are provided, and there is parking beside the reserve and sports grounds.

From here, paths carry on toward Blackwood Forest Recreation Park and into the Sturt River Linear Park.

Make a day of it

Keep going along the Sturt River Linear Park for a flat, shaded extension, then warm up at Brass Monkeys Cafe in Blackwood.

Who it suits

The gum canopy makes it a sound summer choice. It suits dogs that like a good sniff on lead, with the oval there for a proper run at the end.